Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

The Relationship between Chlamydia trachomatis Genital Infection and Spontaneous Abortion

Authors
Amjad Ahmadi 1
Mazaher Khodabandehloo 1
Rashid Ramazanzadeh 1
Fariba Farhadifar 2
Daem Roshani 3
Ebrahim Ghaderi 4
Niloofar Farhangi 5
1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Social Determinant of Health Research Center, Sanandaj, Iran
3 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
4 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
5 Be’sat Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
Abstract
Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is the etiology of most of sexually transmitted diseases. Colonization of C. trachomatis in the genital tract during early gestation has been associated with preterm birth, and preterm premature rupture of the membranes. The role of C. trachomatis on spontaneous abortion has not yet been proved completely. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of C. trachomatis infection among pregnant women and its association with spontaneous abortion. Methods: This case-control study was conducted from August 2012 until January 2013. Totally, 218 women were included; 109 women with spontaneous abortion with gestation age between 10-20 weeks (cases), and 109 women with normal pregnancy with gestation age between 20-30 weeks (controls) in Sanandaj, Iran. DNA was extracted from endocervical swabs and a PCR test was conducted for detection of C. trachomatis infection in women using specific primers. Independent T-test and Chi-square were used for comparison of quantitative and qualitative variables, respectively, and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The total prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was 38(17.43%) in endocervical swabs of women. However, the number of cases with C. trachomatis infections was 25 out of 109(22.9%) in the case group and 13 out of 109(11.9%) in control group, respectively. Association between chlamydia infection and spontaneous abortion was statistically significant (OR=2.198, CI 95%: 1.058-4.56). Conclusion: Our study showed that C. trachomatis infection was associated with spontaneous abortion. Thus, screening and treatment of pregnant women may prevent this adverse pregnancy outcome.
Keywords
Chlamydia trachomatis
Genital infection
Miscarriage
Pregnancy
Spontaneous abortion
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Journal of Reproduction & Infertility
Volume 17, Issue 2
Spring 2016
Pages 110-116