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Fallopian tube obstruction as a sequela toChlamydia trachomatis infection

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Abstract

The association of tubal infertility and ectopic pregnancy withChlamydia trachomatisinfection 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 ofChlamydia trachomatisantibody 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 toChlamydia trachomatisas 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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Medical Microbiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Manitoba, 730 William Avenue, R3E OW3, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

    M. Kosseim & R. C. Brunham

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  1. M. Kosseim
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  2. R. C. Brunham
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Kosseim, M., Brunham, R.C. Fallopian tube obstruction as a sequela toChlamydia trachomatis infection. Eur. J, Clin. Microbiol. 5, 584–590 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02017711

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