Chlamydia trachomatis infections in women with adverse pregnancy outcome

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) infection in women with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

258 patients aged 18-43 yrs were enrolled into the study. Among them, 162 women have had spontaneous abortions in the past (group A), 81 had history of intrauterine death of the foetus (group B) and 15 women had experienced preterm deliveries (group C). The control group (group D) included 131 women who were in the second or third trimester of uncomplicated pregnancy. C. trachomatis was investigated in cervical and urethral smears using direct immunofluorescence or Ligase chain reaction (LCR) for direct testing and immunoenzymatic assay (EIA) for serological testing and detection of specific IgG antibodies.

C. trachomatis was detected in 25.9% patients in group A, 35.8% in group B and 20% in group C and only in 12.7% in group D. IgG specific antibodies were present in 31.5%, 41.9%, 26.6% and 14.5% of patients in these groups respectively. The highest prevalence of chlamydial infections, regardless the diagnostic method used, was registered in the group of women with a history of 3 abortions (42.3% when direct testing and 45.5% when serological testing) while the lowest prevalence was in women who experienced only l abortion (23.2% and 28%).

C. trachomatis infection in pregnancy affects its duration as it can lead to miscarriage, death of the foetus and preterm delivery.