[Chlamydia trachomatis and its role in female infertility]

Infertility is a worldwide problem. 15-20% married couples are childless though they want children. The tubal factor is the most frequent cause of female infertility. Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most frequent pathogenic organisms which cause tubal occlusion. From January 1995 till June 1997 at the 1st Dept. Gynecol. and Obstetric, 1st Fac. of Medicine 327 infertile women were examined divided into three groups (sterile, included in the IVF programme on account of the tubal factor and those included in the programme for other reasons). In all an antigenic examination from the endocervix and serological examination of antichlamydia antibodies was made. In 73 women in the IVF programme by microabrasion of the endometrium material for detection of Chlamydia infection was obtained by PCR. During sampling from the uterine cervix the appearance of the portio uteri, discharge, haemorrhage and pain on examination were evaluated. For statistical evaluation the chi square test was used. In 61% patients anamnestic IGG antibodies were detected suggesting a past or present Chlamydia infection. In women included in the IVF programme on account of the tubal factor there was a significantly higher IgG positivity (92%). Of ten women who suffered from acute chlamydial cervicitis only in one the infection was detected during microabrasion of the endometrium. 65% antigen positive patients had complaints during the examination (discharge, bleeding, pain). The authors discuss the impact of the assembled results from the aspect of impaired fertility of women in the Czech Republic.