Effects of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection on Fertility; A Case-Control Study.
BACKGROUND
Nowadays, Chlamydia trachomatis is known as a causative agent of infertility. Because of, asymptomatic nature of infection, many may suffer from its lasting complications such as infertility. This study was performed in Tehran during April 2007 to April 2008 to compare the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in fertile and infertile women using ELISA and PCR methods.


METHODS
Overall, 234 infertile and 223 pregnant women, as the fertile group, participated in this hospital-based case-control study. After completing an informed consent form and the questionnaire, first catch urine and blood sample were obtained for PCR and ELISA (IgG, IgM) tests, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to control possible confounding factors, and determine adjusted odds ratio of infertility due to the infection.


RESULTS
PCR results revealed that 29 (12.4%) of the infertile and 19 (8.5%) of the fertile women were positive for C. trachomatis infection (p = 0.440). IgG was positive in 21 (9.0%) of the infertile and 11 (5.0%) in the fertile group (p = 0.093). IgM assays identified that 2 (0.9%) of the infertile and 4 (1.8%) of the fertile women were positive for the micro-organism (p = 0.375).


CONCLUSIONS
We found no significant differences among fertile and infertile women for Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Nevertheless, molecular techniques which are more sensitive, more specific and non-invasive can be used to detect C. trachomatis infection.
Vali-e-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Batool Hossein
BH
Rashidi
Leili
L
Chamani-Tabriz
Fadieh
F
Haghollahi
Mahmood
M
Jeddi-Tehrani
Mohammad Mehdi
MM
Naghizadeh
Mamak
M
Shariat
Mohammad Mehdi
MM
Akhondi
Rezvan
R
Bagheri
Soheila
S
Asgari
Kevan
K
Wylie
Case control study; Chlamydia trachomatis; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Infertility; Polymerase chain reaction