title: Serological investigation of the role of selected sexually transmitted infections in the aetiology of ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between selected sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the later occurrence of ectopic pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 125 women with ectopic pregnancy and 125 pregnant controls were recruited between January 2003 and February 2005 at Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, in Ankara, Turkey. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the prevalence of serum antibodies to Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis and to Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 IgG and, indirect immunofluorescence test was used to determine the prevalence of serum antibodies to Mycoplasma (M.) hominis and Ureaplasma (U.) urealyticum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of C. trachomatis Ig G antibody in women with ectopic pregnancy (31/125; 25%) was significantly higher than in controls (12/125; 9.6%) (crude Odds Ratio [OR]: 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-6.38; p = 0.001). However, there was no significant association between C. trachomatis IgM; M. hominis IgG, IgM; U. urealyticum IgG, IGM; and HSV-2 IgG, and ectopic pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Previous chlamydial infection plays an important role in the aetiology of ectopic pregnancy. There was no association between M. hominis, U. urealyticum and HSV-2 infections, and ectopic pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. drkaraer@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karaer
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mert
authors.forename: Sabri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cavkaytar
authors.forename: Sertac
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Batioglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D019535:Mycoplasma hominis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000209:etiology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D014421:Turkey; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G