Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Effects of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection on Fertility; A Case-Control Study

Authors
Batool Hossein Rashidi 1
Leili Chamani Tabriz 2
Fedyeh Haghollahi 1
Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani 3
Mohammad Mehdi Naghizadeh 4
Mamak Shariat 5
Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi 6
Rezvan Bagheri 6
Soheila Asgari 7
Kevan Wylie 8
1 Vali-e- Asar Reproductive Health Research Center,Tehran Medical Sciences University, Tehran, Iran
2 Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran; Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ACECR), Tehran, Iran
4 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Fassa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
5 Maternal-Fetal-Neonatal Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
6 Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
7 Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran; International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Kish Island, Iran
8 Consultant in sexual Medicine, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Abstract
Background: Nowadays, Chlamydia trachomatis is known as a causative agent of infertility. Because of, asymptomatic nature of infection, many may suffer from its lasting complications such as infertility. This study was performed in Tehran during April 2007 to April 2008 to compare the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in fertile and infertile women using ELISA and PCR methods. Methods: Overall, 234 infertile and 223 pregnant women, as the fertile group, participated in this hospital-based case-control study. After completing an informed consent form and the questionnaire, first catch urine and blood sample were obtained for PCR and ELISA (IgG, IgM) tests, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to control possible confounding factors, and determine adjusted odds ratio of infertility due to the infection. Results: PCR results revealed that 29 (12.4%) of the infertile and 19 (8.5%) of the fertile women were positive for C. trachomatis infection (p=0.440). IgG was positive in 21 (9.0%) of the infertile and 11 (5.0%) in the fertile group (p=0.093). IgM assays identified that 2 (0.9%) of the infertile and 4 (1.8%) of the fertile women were positive for the micro-organism (p=0.375). Conclusion: We found no significant differences among fertile and infertile women for Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Nevertheless, molecular techniques which are more sensitive, more specific and non-invasive can be used to detect C. trachomatis infection.
Keywords
Case control study
Chlamydia trachomatis
Enzyme
linked immunosorbent assay
Infertility
Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Journal of Reproduction & Infertility
Volume 14, Issue 2
Spring 2013
Pages 67-72