[Occurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in infertile women in Poland]

Chiamydia trachomatis represents a causal factor of sexually transmitted infections (STI), the course of which is frequently asymptomatic. Chronic and relapsing infections with Chlamydia trachomatis may result in a disturbed function of oviducts, resulting in infertility.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between manifestations of asymptomatic infections with Chlamydia trachomatis and infertility among Polish women.

The study was conducted between 2010-2013 on 543 women in two groups. Group 1 included 190 patients (aged 23-39 years), in whom control tests were performed before planned pregnancy Group 2 included 353 patients (aged 23-39 years), suffering from infertility (no pregnancy after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse). The study included all women presenting with infertility A smear was taken from the cervical canal and DNA of C. trachomatis was isolated and identified using nested-PCR. In the statistical analysis the Fisher's exact test was applied.

Infection with C. trachomatis was detected in 18 (9.47%) controls (group 1) but as many as 81 (22.95%) patients with infertility (group 2). The obtained results were significantly different (p<0.0001) between the investigated groups.

(1) The study indicates that chronic infection with C. trachomatis may represent a significant factor resulting in infertility of women. (2) A test for Chlamydia trachomatis infection should be routinely performed in every couple with diagnosed infertility and always before a scheduled in vitro procedure.