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 reaction (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 normal 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 with 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 surgical procedure.

RESULT(S): C. trachomatis DNA was detected in 9 of 77 chronic salpingitis cases. Seventy-seven controls were negative for C. trachomatis. No statistically significant difference in age or ethnicity between cases and controls was identified. Nulliparity was more frequent in cases (26 of 74) than controls (14 of 76). Sexually transmitted disease history was more prevalent in cases (24 of 74) than controls (6 of 76). Chlamydia infection was not associated with a particular surgical indication.

CONCLUSION(S): Chronic salpingitis is highly associated with the presence of C. trachomatis infection as detected by PCR.