The PCR assessed prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in aborted tissues.

BACKGROUND

Infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (ChT) are the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial infections worldwide. ChT is a cause of cervicitis, endometritis, salpingitis, tubal infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Perinatal infections with ChT have been associated with premature rupture of membranes, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and in newborns with conjunctivitis and pneumonia. There are controversial data referring to the association between colonisation by ChT and the risk of spontaneous abortion. Only few studies investigated the prevalence of ChT antigens in aborted tissues.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of ChT in patients with spontaneous pregnancy loss using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

MATERIALS AND METHOD: We completed prospective analysis of 50 patients after spontaneous abortions. The prevalence of ChT infections was assessed by PCR performed in samples taken during curettage following miscarriage.

RESULTS

ChT was present in 16 (32%) of samples. Other pathogens of the lower genital tract were found in cultures from 11 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of ChT infections in early abortions in this study was found to be surprisingly high. It implies the importance of screening of women planning pregnancy and pregnant women for this disease.