The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in fresh tissue specimens from patients with ectopic pregnancy or tubal factor infertility as determined by PCR and in-situ hybridisation

The prevalence of chlamydial DNA determined by PCR and in-situ hybridisatio n (ISH) in fresh tissue specimens (endometrium, fallopian tube and ovary) w as investigated in 33 women presenting with ectopic pregnancy (EP), 14 wome n with tubal factor infertility (TFI) and 50 control patients from the UK a nd the West Indies. In the UK EP group, chlamydial DNA was detected by PCR in 56% of patients; similar results were found in the Trinidad EP group (67 %). In the TFI group, chlamydial DNA was detected in (71%) of patients by P CR. The, detection of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA by ISH was highest in the T FI group (43%). Women presenting with EP and TFI showed evidence of previou s or current genital C trachomatis infection, underlining the importance of this microorganism in the development of these conditions. Importantly, ch lamydial DNA could be detected in DNA preparations from the endometrium, fa llopian tube and ovary of EP and TFI patients at the time of surgery.