The presence of serum antibody to the chlamydial heat shock protein (CHSP60) as a diagnostic test for tubal factor infertility

Abstract

Objective: To study the utility of testing for heat shock protein 60 (CHSP60) antibodies in the diagnosis of tubal factor infertility.

Design: Prospective case control.

Setting: Canadian university hospital infertility clinic.

Patient(s): Women presenting for infertility investigation.

Intervention(s): Sera were collected from 77 patients.

Main outcome measure(s): The relationship between tubal factor infertility and the presence of antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis and CHSP60 was assessed.

Result(s): There were no significant differences between antibodies to C. trachomatis in women with tubal factor infertility (63%) and other causes of infertility (46%). However, more women with tubal factor infertility (44%) had anti-CHSP60 antibodies compared with other causes of infertility (8%). Antibody testing for C. trachomatis has only a 63% sensitivity and a 54% specificity for detecting tubal factor infertility. In contrast, the CHSP60 antibody test has a 44% sensitivity and a 92% specificity for detecting tubal factor infertility. There is a good positive likelihood ratio of 5.5 for CHSP60 antibody testing detecting the presence of tubal factor infertility. Combining CHSP60 antibody with antibody testing for C. trachomatis has an excellent positive likelihood ratio of 10 for the detection of C. trachomatis-associated tubal factor infertility.

Conclusion(s): CHSP60 antibody testing is a more accurate test than antibody testing for C. trachomatis for predicting chlamydia-associated tubal factor infertility. These tests, when used in combination at initial infertility evaluation, would provide a rapid noninterventive means of diagnosing tubal factor infertility.