Publication:

Association between Chlamydia trachomatis infection and recurrent pregnancy loss

Background Chlamydia trachomatis infection is widely prevalent sexually transmitted infection. Chlamydia trachomatis is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease, salpingitis, infertility and various adverse pregnancy outcomes example- preterm labour, Premature rupture of membranes, spontaneous miscarriage. Association of Chlamydia trachomatis with recurrent pregnancy loss is not yet well understood. The aim of the present study was to determine association of Chlamydia trachomatis infection with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) by comparing its prevalence in women with and without RPL.

Methods This case control study was carried out in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. Total 200 women were recruited on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Out of these 100 women were in study group with history of RPL and 100 women were in control group with previous successful pregnancy outcomes. ELISA on blood and PCR on urine sample were performed to detect Chlamydia trachomatis and its prevalence was compared in both the groups. All quantitative variables were compared by t test and qualitative variables were compared by chi square test. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection by PCR on urine was found to be 17% in study group and 0% in control with a significant difference in both the groups (p value- 0.0001). Similarly prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection by ELISA on blood was found to be 22% in study group and 4% in control with a statistically significant difference in both the groups (p value-0.0001). Thus significantly higher prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection was found in women with recurrent pregnancy loss in comparison to those without it.

Conclusions This study showed strong association of Chlamydia trachomatis infection with recurrent pregnancy loss. Hence, screening and treatment of pregnant women for C.trachomatis infection may be beneficial to reduce adverse pregnancy outcome.