Chlamydia trachomatis: the prevalence, trend and importance in initial infertility management

One thousand and five women, and 354 of their partners, attending an infertility clinic have been assessed for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies in their serum. The overall prevalence in women was 12.4% (125/1,005) but appeared to have increased over a 2-year period. A similar trend was not apparent for men and the prevalence was only 4.2% (15/354). Of the 125 seropositive women 81 had their pelvis examined for the first time by laparoscopy. Fifty seven had tubal disease of varying severity, but only 16 had had an ectopic pregnancy or admitted to a previous history of pelvic inflammatory disease or nonspecific urethritis. These findings suggest that laboratory testing for chlamydial antibodies should be routine in the initial investigation of an infertile couple and that early laparoscopy is indicated in seropositive women.