[Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in patients of an ambulatory sterility clinic]

In order to investigate a presumed association of certain anamnestic data with Chlamydia trachomatis infection of infertile women, appropriate specimens were examined from 100 patients of an infertility clinic. PCR and nucleic acid hybridization were positive in 5% of the patients, corresponding in both tests; IgG was found in 31% and IgA in 5% of patients. The prevalence was highest in the age-group of 26-35 years (21 of 55) and higher in patients who had been trying to conceive for > 2 years (12 of 37) as than those trying < or = 2 years (3 of 13). The proportion of IgG-positive women was significantly (p = 0.03) smaller in Turkish patients (3 of 22) than in those of other origin (11 of 33 from former Yugoslavia and 15 of 39 Austrian women). The prevalence was higher in patients with reported pelvic inflammatory disease (11 of 30) as compared to patients without (15 of 50). With a pathological state of the Fallopian tubes the prevalence was 12 of 25, with normal tubes 6 of 18 (p > 0.05). Thus, there seem to exist anamnestic hints as to chlamydial infections. Because of their high prevalence in patients with sterility we recommend screening for chlamydial infection prior to undertaking any invasive diagnostic procedure of the Fallopian tubes.