Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA in archival paraffinized specimens from chronic salpingitis cases using the polymerase chain reaction

Objective: To identify Chlamydia trachomatis by the polymerase chain reacti on (PCR) in fallopian tube tissues with chronic salpingitis. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Setting: Academic tertiary institution. Patient(s): Women with a pathological diagnosis of chronic salpingitis or n ormal fallopian tube hospitalized between September 1992 and November 1994. Initial identification of 248 specimens with final analysis of 154. Intervention(s): Paraffin-embedded fallopian tube tissues were analyzed wit h use of PCR to detect C. trachomatis. Main Outcome Measure(s): Identification of C. trachomatis DNA; demographics of age, ethnicity, parity, history of sexually transmitted disease, and su rgical procedure. Result(s): C. trachomatis DNA was detected in 9 of 77 chronic salpingitis c ases. Seventy-seven controls were negative for C. trachomatis. No statistic ally significant difference in age or ethnicity between cases and controls was identified. Nulliparity was more frequent in cases (26 of 74) than cont rols (14 of 76). Sexually transmitted disease history was more prevalent in cases (24 of 74) than controls (6 of 76). Chlamydia infection was not asso ciated with a particular surgical indication. Conclusion(s): Chronic salpingitis is highly associated with the presence o f C. trachomatis infection as detected by PCR. (Fertil Steril(R) 2000;74:15 2-7. (C) 2000 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine).