Prevalence of Chlamydia Infection in Infertile Women: Application of Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA.
- Author:
Seok Hyun KIM
;
Eun Kyong KIM
;
Byung Chul JEE
;
Chang Suk SUH
;
Young Min CHOI
;
Jung Gu KIM
;
Shin Wong MOON
;
Jin Yong LEE
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Chlamydia trachomatis;
Chlamydia infection;
Infertility;
Prevalence;
Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)
- MeSH:
Chlamydia Infections*;
Chlamydia trachomatis*;
Chlamydia*;
Diagnostic Tests, Routine;
DNA*;
Female;
Humans;
Infertility;
Polymerase Chain Reaction*;
Prevalence*;
Uterine Cervicitis
- From:Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
2000;43(3):475-480
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Endocervical infection of Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases(STD) in women, and it usually disseminates into the upper genital tract, especially at the uterine exploration. This study was performed to investigate the prevalence rate of endocervical Chlamydia trachomatis in infertile women with the application of polymerase chain reaction(PCR) for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA. METHODS: From March, 1996 to October, 1999, endocervical swabs were obtained in 101 infertile patients at SNUH. Chlamydia trachomatis DNA was extracted and amplified by a commercially available Amplicor Chlamydia trachomatis PCR kit(Roche Diagnostics, Branch burg, USA). The clinical characteristics of infertile patients were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 31.0 years old, and the mean duration of infertility was 43.4 months. The prevalence rate of endocervical Chlamydia trachomatis in infertile patients was 4.0%(4/101). There was no significant difference in the prevalence rate of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among the different infertility factor groups: 7.1%(2/28) in tubal-peritoneal factor group, 8.3%(1/12) in cervical factor group, and 8.3%(1/12) in unexplained infertility group. Two patients suffered from chronic cervicitis. CONCLUSION: The application of PCR for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA was a rather rapid and accurate diagnostic method. Therefore, it could be recommended as a diagnostic test applicable to the routine infertility work-up.
