title: Waddlia chondrophila and Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies in screening infertile women for tubal pathology.
abstract: Since Waddlia chondrophila is closely related to Chlamydia trachomatis, we hypothesise that W. chondrophila may also be associated with tubal factor infertility (TFI) in women, a major complication of chronic C. trachomatis infection. Five hundred twenty serum samples were tested for anti-Waddlia antibodies by ELISA. Among the 520 investigated women, a total number of 142 (27.3%) has had laparoscopic diagnosis performed, and were either classified TFI positive or negative. Presence of high titres of W. chondrophila antibodies was linked to TFI (p < 0.0001; OR: 7.5; 95% CI: 3.3-17). Moreover, antibody positivity to both W. chondrophila and C. trachomatis-MOMP was strongly associated with TFI (p < 0.0001; OR: 21; 95% CI: 3.8-12E1). This association was much stronger than the statistical association of C. trachomatis-MOMP antibodies only (p < 0.0001; OR: 7.1; 95% CI: 3.7-14), suggesting that co-infection with W. chondrophila and C. trachomatis may lead to more severe reproductive sequelae and immune responses than single infection with either Chlamydiales members.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: sp.verweij@vumc.nl.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Verweij
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kebbi-Beghdadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Land
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ouburg
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Institute for Public Health Genomics, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Research Institute GROW, Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Morré
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Infectious Diseases Service, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Greub
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology*; D060085:Coinfection; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial
keywords: Chlamydia trachomatis; Screening; TFI; Tubal factor infertility; Waddlia chondrophila