The influence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection on spontaneous abortions

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.) infection among women who experienced a miscarriage.

Materials and methods: Patients referred to the Centre for STD Research and Diagnostics in Bialystok from the Department of Perinatology and from gynaecological outpatient clinics, after spontaneous abortion were enrolled in the study. C.t. infection diagnostics were performed among 76 women with 1 miscarriage and 44 patients with > or =2 miscarriages in anamnesis. Forty-six patients in the 2nd and the 3rd trimester of normal pregnancy served as a comparative group. Endocervical swabs as well as blood serum were obtained. To detect chlamydial DNA, direct PCR method was performed (Roche, Molecular Systems, N.J., USA). To detect IgA and IgG specific anti-chlamydial antibodies we used immunoenzymatic assay (medac, Hamburg, Germany).

Results: In patients with 1 miscarriage (gr.1), C.t. infection by means of PCR was detected in 11.8% of women (p=0.029), in patients with > or =2 miscarriages (gr.2) in 9.1% (p=0.198) and in the comparative group (gr.0) in 2.2%. Specific anti-chlamydial antibodies IgA class were detected in: 7.9 (p=0.082) in group 1, 4.5% (p=0.236) in group 2 and in 0% in group 0, and IgG class in 21.1% (p=0.024), 36.4% (p=0.000) and in 4.4%, respectively.

Conclusions: 1. C.t. infection is an important causative agent of miscarriages in women. 2. C.t. infection diagnostic procedures should be considered in screening tests during pregnancy.