Ectopic pregnancy and antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Gynecology

Background:

• Ectopic pregnancy is a severe complication of acute salpingitis.
• Chlamydia trachomatis is frequently identified as the causative agent of acute salpingitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between ectopic pregnancy and serologic evidence of current or past Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Main Methods:

• Serologic testing for IgG serum antibodies to C. trachomatis was performed.
• Antibody prevalence was compared between women with ectopic pregnancy, normal intrauterine pregnancy, infertility, cervicitis, and salpingitis.

Main Results:

• 65% of women with ectopic pregnancy had IgG antibodies to C. trachomatis, compared to 21% of women with intrauterine pregnancies.
• Elevated antibody prevalence was observed in women with salpingitis (69%), cervicitis (42%), and infertile husbands (11%).
• A correlation was found between IgG antibodies and a history of salpingitis or tubal inflammation in women with ectopic pregnancy.

Conclusions:

• Previous Chlamydia trachomatis salpingitis is a significant risk factor for developing ectopic pregnancy.
• Serologic evidence of chlamydial infection supports its role in the etiology of ectopic pregnancy.