CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS INFECTIONS IN PATIE NTS ATTENDING AN INFERTILITY CLINIC

In order to investigate a presumed association of certain anamnestic d ata with Chlamydia trachomatis infection of infertile women, appropria te specimens were examined from 100 patients of an infertility clinic. PCR and nucleic acid hybridization were positive in 5% of the patient s, corresponding in both tests; Ige 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 less than or equal to 2 years (3 of 13). The proportion of IgC-positive women was significantly (p = 0.03) smaller in Turkish patients (3 of 22) than in those of other o rigin (11 of 33 from former Yugoslavia and 15 of 39 Austrian women). T he 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 anam nestic hints as to chlamydial infections. Because of their high preval ence in patients with sterility we recommend screening for chlamydial infection prior to undertaking any invasive diagnostic procedure of th e Fallopian tubes.