Association of the Serum Anti-chlamydial Antibodies with Tubal Infertility.

BACKGROUND Infertility is increasingly becoming a significant health problem in many areas of the world. The infection which is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis is a major cause of tubal factor infertility secondary to salpingitis. However, the data which pertains to infertility attributed to the C. trachomatis infection is limited in India. AIMS To evaluate the chlamydial infection in women who suffered from infertility and to investigate the possible role of the chlamydia serology as a screening test for tubal infertility. METHOD This study was aimed at evaluating the chlamydial infection in fifty women with primary infertility and at investigating the possible role of the chlamydial serology as a screening test for tubal infertility, by the detection of the anti-chlamydial IgM antibodies by using E.L.I.S.A. SETTING AND DESIGN The present prospective study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in north India. RESULTS In this study, a high seropositivity (60%) for the antichlamydial antibody was observed. 52% females showed bilateral tubal blockage, while the most common site of the blockage was the ampullary portion (36%). CONCLUSION These findings highlighted a strong correlation between the tubal factor infertility and the antichlamydial antibodies. It also stressed on the need of the screening of infertile women for C. trachomatis with laboratory investigations, which could provide a rapid and specific diagnosis so that early therapeutic interventions could be instituted.