DETECTION OF CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS IN FALLOPIAN-TUBE TISSUE IN WOMEN WITH POSTINFECTIOUS TUBAL INFERTILITY

OBJECTIVE: Biopsy tissues from women with postinfectious tubal inferti lity were studied for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis. STUDY DES IGN: Tubal biopsy specimens from 25 women with postinfectious tubal in fertility undergoing laparoscopy for repair of fallopian tubes were ev aluated by culture, in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry, and tr ansmission electron microscopy for the presence of Chlamydia trachomat is. Serum was also tested for Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies. RESULT S: Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in postinfectious tubal biopsy s pecimens in three of 25 patients by culture, 12 of 24 by in situ hybri dization, 15 of 22 by immunoperoxidase stain, and two of 10 by transmi ssion electron microscopy. Serum antibody against Chlamydia trachomati s was detected in 15 of 21 patients. CONCLUSION: Chlamydia trachomatis deoxyribonucleic acid or antigens were detected at a high percentage (19/24 women) in the biopsy tissues of the fimbrial and peritubal adhe sions by in situ hybridization or immunoperoxidase stain, suggesting a persistent infection in these women even after antibiotic treatment.