Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Chlamydia trachomatis now is one of the most prevalent bacteria sexually transmissible diseases (STD), and as such, constitutes a serious public health problem. Diagnosis of Chlamydial infections is based on isolation of bacteria in tissue culture media that requires at least 48 to 72h. The aim of this study was the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), because its a sensitive and specific method for detection of small quantity of bacterial DNA in clinical samples. From May to December 2008, a total of 147 specimens of endocervical swabs were collect from 100 women were attending the Gynecology Departments of Women Health Center at Al-Elwyia Obstetrics Hospital in Baghdad and 47 women attending to Al-Samarrai infertility Hospital were examined by a specific PCR for the Chlamydia plasmid (KL1 and KL2) genes with a PCR product of 241bp. The PCR detection revealed that Chlamydia trachomatis in 39(26.5%) of the infected women. The results of this study indicate that PCR technique is a useful method for detecting C. trachomatis taken from endocervical area.