Therapeutic abortion and Chlamydia trachomatis infection

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Gynecology

Background:

• Genital chlamydial infections are a common sexually transmitted disease.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a serious complication of untreated chlamydial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in women undergoing legal pregnancy termination.
• To assess the risk of developing PID following termination in infected women.

Main Methods:

• Cervical samples were collected from 218 women undergoing legal pregnancy termination.
• Chlamydia trachomatis infection was identified using laboratory methods.
• Post-abortion follow-up was conducted to monitor for PID development.

Main Results:

• Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 30 of 218 (13.8%) women.
• Seven (23.3%) of the 30 infected patients developed PID within two weeks post-abortion.
• Four of these PID cases showed serological evidence of recent chlamydial infection.

Conclusions:

• A significant prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis exists in women seeking pregnancy termination.
• Genital chlamydial infection is a risk factor for developing PID after abortion.
• Routine screening for genital chlamydial infection prior to pregnancy termination is advised.