Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access

Abstract

Early Fetal Loss and Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection

Jozef Visnovsky, Kristina Biskupska-Bodova, Barbora Cabanova, Erik Kudela and Karol Dokus

Objectives: Chlamydia trachomatis infection is generally considered to be a risk factor to pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the role of Chlamydia trachomatis in miscarriage, as well as consider different diagnostic approaches.

Materials and methods: We collected serum, cervicovaginal swab specimens, and placental samples women with vaginal bleeding and/or abdominal pain in their first trimester of pregnancy. The presence of chlamydial infection was detected by conventional cultivation, by detection of chlamydial antigen using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and detection of IgG level using Immune-Enzymatic Assay (ELISA).

Results: Prevalence of miscarriage was significantly higher in group with positive cultivation of C. trachomatis infection (67.3% vs. 36.0%). We did not find a significant difference between the detection of chlamydial infection using conventional cultivation, ELISA or PCR. Association between a C. trachomatis positive diagnostic test and miscarriage remained significant (OR=2.41; 95% CI 1.32-3.35, p<0.01).

Conclusion: C. trachomatis infection is an important causative factor of miscarriage. C. trachomatis infection diagnostic procedures should be considered for further recommendations especially for women with recurrent fetal losses.