Detection of Chlamydia Trachomatis among Infected Women

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI). C. trachomatis has a high rate of asymptomatic infection approximately 80% of cases in females, and 45% in males, are estimated to be asymptomatic. Objective: The aim of this study was to to detect the prevalence of C. trachomatis among women with chronic cervicitis, abortion, full term pregnancy and infertile women. Also to compare between different methods of diagnosis as detection of C. trachomatis as ELISA and IgA antibody. Material and Methods: Eighty women were subjected to our study, they were classified as 20 women with chronic mucopurulent cervicities, 20 women with spontaneous abortion, 20 infertile and 20 full term pregnancy, also 40 controls normal women were examined. Endocervical specimens and blood samples were taken from all previous groups and subjected to examination by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) antigen and immunoglobulin A (IgA). Results: IgA, and ELISA gave a positive chlamydial infection of 25% and 20% respectively. IgA proved good sensitivity and specificity 93.8% and 92.2% respectively. Chlamydial infection were detected among 30% of abortion cases, 25% among infertile women, 15% among chronic mucopurulent cervicities, 10% in full term pregnancy and 5% of the control women. C. trachomatis infection was significantly prevalent among examined cases in comparison to controls (P<0.05). Our results revealed increased incidence of chlamydial infection among nulliparous women but non statistical significant differences were recorded. Also chlamydial infection was inversely related to young and marital duration less than 5 years, significant statistical differences were recorded (P<0.004 and <0.001) respectively. Conclusion: chlamydial trachomatis has an important role especially in infertile women and spontaneous abortion. Cases of abnormal vaginal discharge particularly in young sexually active women belonging to low socioeconomic classes should be considered at high risk of chlamydia infections. So that strategies for the treatment of females early in pregnancy must be carried. IgA and ELISA testes are sensitive methods of diagnosis C. trachomatis. Detection of IgA gave a good sensitivity and specificity results.