The role of chlamydia trachomatis infection in recurrent miscarriage

Aim:

The correlation of IgG antibodies presence for chlamydia trachomatis in the serum and/or in the cervical smear with the aetiology of recurrent miscarriage.

Material and methods:

We studied 67 patients aged 23 – 42 years with a history of recurrent miscarriage (group A) and 55 females 21 – 38 years old with a free history (group B-control group). All patients were screened for IgG antibodies against chlamydia trachomatis by indirect immunofluorescence up to a 1:64 dilution (positive specimens > 1:32) as well as by culture of endocervical fluid. Epidemiological risk factors associated with chlamydial infection such as number of sexual partners, contraception method used in the past, history of sexually transmitted diseases, age of onset of sexual activity and history of PID were included in our study.

Results:

29.1% of patients with recurrent miscarriages were diagnosed with positive antibodies against chlamydia trachomatis in blood serum and 19.4% in the control group. Chlamydia detection in endocervical fluid culture was positive at 7.8% in Group A and 6.1% in Group B. A statistically significant difference in serum and endocervical fluid was observed between the two groups (p < 0.001). Among the epidemiological parameters the number of sexual partners, the contraceptive method and the PID history showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions:

Chlamydial infection does not act as an independent risk factor in cases of recurrent miscarriage. Detection of chlamydial agent in blood serum seems to be more reliable method in comparison with endocervical fluid culture.