comparison of levels of antibodies against chlamydia trachomatis in infertile women due to tubal factors and fertile women

introduction: chlamydia trachomatis infection is a common pathogen in sexual transmitted disease, but most of female patients with this infection are asymptomatic. sequealae include pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. the aim of the study was to determine the association between chlamydia trachomatis and tubal factor infertility, if significant. methods: this prospective, case -control study was done in april 2005-april2006. the study group consisted of 125 patients with tubal factor infertility and the control group included 125 fertile women. the level of antibodies to chlamydia trachomatis was determined in both groups by eliza method. results: antibody to chlamydia trachomatis was present in 29 women in the study group (23.2%) and in15 women in the control group ( 12%), respectively, (p< 0.005). the mean level of antibody in both groups was 0.76 and 0.49, respectively (p<0.0005). conclusion: the study showed that the level of antibody against chlamydia is significantly more in tubal factor infertile women. we therefore suggest the screening of chlamydia antibody testing is necessary for tubal factor infertility workup.