Infertility Related Chlamydial and Gonococcal Infection in Infertile Couples in Southern Thailand

Abstract

Objective to study the association between prior chlamydial and gonococcal infection and infertility, and evaluate the serum levels of IgG and IgA antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (pili) in a variety of populations.

Subjects The control group was pregnant women and their husbands, the comparison groups were infertile women with and without tubal occlusion and their husbands, and female commercial sex workers.

Main outcome measures IgG and IgA antibodies to chlamydiae and gonococci pili.

Results IgG antibodies to chlamydiae and gonococci pili were significantly more prevalent (P = 0.0073 and P = 0.0260) in infertile women with tubal occlusion (65.0 and 56.6%) compared with the pregnant women (44.1 and 36.7%).

Conclusion The data suggest that women with tubal infertility frequently have serological evidence of prior infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These results further support the aetiological role of infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in tubal infertility.