CHLAMYDIAL SEROLOGY AND TUBAL FACTOR INFERTILITY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Genital chlamydial infection is the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease
worldwide. It poses a public health problem of epidemic proportions. Most primary infections are
asymptomatic. The prevalence is highest in young, sexually active women. Untreated or poorly treated cases result in endosalpingeal damage and destruction of tubular architecture with multiple  sequelae, including tubal factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy. This study sought to determine serological
evidence of prior chlamydial infection in patients with tubal factor infertility and to ascertain any risk association between Chlamydia infection and tubal factor infertility in Port Harcourt, South- South Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this study was to determine serological evidence of prior chlamydial infection
among patients with tubal factor infertility by detecting the presence of immunoglobulin G antibodies in their sera and to ascertain any association between the infection and tubal infertility.
METHODOLOGY
This was a case-control study in which 188 study subjects were drawn from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
This number was divided into two, with 94 consisting of women with confirmed tubal factor infertility using hysterosalpingogram, who served as cases, and the other 94, of women with intrauterine pregnancy drawn from the antenatal clinic as controls. Their socio-demographic characteristics and the pattern of sexual behaviour were documented in the profoma provided. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 17 statistical software.
RESULTS
The prevalence of Chlamydia antibodies in patients with tubal factor infertility was 61.7%. The prevalence of chlamydial antibodies in the pregnant controls was 34.0%. The prevalence of Chlamydia antibodies was significantly higher in patients with tubal factor infertility than in the pregnant controls (p=0.001). The presence of Chlamydia antibodies was associated with a three fold risk of tubal factor infertility, Odd’s ratio (O.R) 3.12. Early coitarche, previous history of pelvic inflammatory disease and history of induced abortion were the risk factors of Chlamydia trachomatis infection found to be positively associated with tubal factor infertility.
Conclusion: There was a risk association between Chlamydia Trachomatis infection and tubal factor infertility

CHLAMYDIAL SEROLOGY AND TUBAL FACTOR INFERTILITY