THE ROLE OF CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS INFECTION IN FEMALE INFERTILITY

The incidence of positive Chlamydia cultures in females undergoing lap aroscopy for tubal patency is high. We advocate routine screening for Chlamydia infection in females with infertility. Of seventy-five patie nts undergoing laparoscopy for infertility, 49 grew Chlamydia on tissu e culture of material from the cervix, an incidence of 65.3%. Of these 49 cases, 33 (67.3%) had tubal blockage. In asymptomatic patients, 22 out of 50 had positive cultures from the cervix, an incidence of 44%. Peritoneal fluid culture was negative in all infertile patients. When compared to populations studied elsewhere, the incidence of Chlamydia appears to be high in our population and significantly higher in the infertile patients. In the management of infertility, pelvic inflammat ory disease, and neonatal conjunctivitis, Chlamydia should be routinel y investigated and treated.