Multiple site sampling does not increase the sensitivity of Chlamydia trachomatis detection in infertility patients

Persistent Chlamydia trachomatis infections are associated with tubal pathology. We studied whether sampling from multiple sites would increase the identification of the infections.

Prospective cohort study.

Tertiary care facility.

Two hundred two infertile women.

Smears were taken from the cervix, urethra, high vagina, fimbriae and the Douglas cavity. Blood samples were collected and tubal patency was assessed by pertubation with lipiodol and methylene blue.

Detection of C. trachomatis DNA, detection of IgA and IgG antibodies against C. trachomatis, and antibodies against chlamydial heat-shock protein 60, tubal patency.

Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 2 of 202 patients, for an overall prevalence of 1%. In both patients PCR results were positive in the cervical, vaginal, and urethral specimens. Chlamydia trachomatis IgG, IgA, and chlamydial heat-shock protein 60 IgG were significantly more prevalent in women with distal tubal pathology than in those without (26/40 [65.0%] vs. 16/162 [9.9%], 9/40 [22.5%] vs. 7/162 [4.3%], and 34/40 [85.0%] vs. 34/162 [21.0%]). Bacterial colonization was found in 1 of 202 samples from the Douglas cavity.

Routine DNA testing for C. trachomatis should be confined to cervical sampling. The association between tubal pathology and seropositivity of IgG, IgA, and cHSP60 IgG was confirmed but did not add clinically valuable information during the diagnostic workup of infertility patients.