title: The role of serological testing for Chlamydia trachomatis in differential diagnosis of pelvic pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pelvic pain is typically associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The most common cause of PID is Chlamydia trachomatis. The aim of this study was to verify the role of serological testing for Chlamydia trachomatis in patients with suspected PID.
  
  
  METHODS
  The retrospective study included 185 patients with pelvic pain hospitalized at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2003 and 2004. Titers of anti-Chlamydia trachomatisIgG and IgA were measured by means ELISA immunoassays. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count (WBC) were also determined. Final diagnosis was established on the basis of laparoscopic examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of anti-Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies correlated significantly with abnormal values of ESR, WBC and CRP. The most common laparoscopic pathology were pelvic adhesions, typically found in women with elevated titers of anti-Chlamydia trachomatis IgG. Cconclusion. Serological examination for Chlamydia trachomatis is helpful in evaluation of patients with suspected PID. Elevated titers of anti-Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies are frequently associated with laparoscopic evidence of pelvic adhesions and inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Frauenklinik Asklepios Klinkum Uckermark, Schwedt, Germany.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Łój
authors.affiliation: Departament of Gynecology and Urogynecology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brodowska
authors.affiliation: Departament of Gynecology and Urogynecology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Sylwester
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ciecwiez
authors.affiliation: Departament of Gynecology and Urogynecology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Szydłowska
authors.affiliation: Primary Healthcare Center, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brodowski
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Plastic, Endocrine and General Surgery, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Łokaj
authors.affiliation: Departament of Gynecology and Urogynecology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Starczewski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests; D055815:Young Adult