Fallopian tube obstruction as a sequela toChlamydia trachomatis infection

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Abstract
The association of tubal infertility and ectopic pregnancy with Chlamydia trachomatis infection was investigated using a case-control study design. Although culture methods failed to document active chlamydial infection in the majority of cases, serology revealed a significant association of Chlamydia trachomatis antibody with tubal infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Thirteen of 18 (72 %) women with tubal factor infertility and 18 of 32 (56 %) women with ectopic pregnancy had antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis as compared to 11 of 49 (22 %) normal pregnant controls. Interestingly, only 7 of 18 (39 %) infertile women and 5 of 36 (14 %) women with ectopic pregnancy recalled a history of pelvic inflammatory disease. These results suggest that chlamydia-associated salpingitis, whether clinically evident or subclinical, is a major contributor to diseases of tubal dysfunction.