Chlamydia trachomatis-associated ectopic pregnancy: serologic and histologic correlates

J Infect Dis. 1992 Jun;165(6):1076-81. doi: 10.1093/infdis/165.6.1076.

Abstract

Fifty-five women with ectopic pregnancy and 24 undergoing tubal ligation with a segmental resection of the fallopian tube were evaluated for histopathology of the fallopian tube, Chlamydia trachomatis serum antibodies, antibodies to a chlamydial sarkosyl-soluble 57-kDa protein, and for isolation of C. trachomatis. Plasma cell infiltration in the fallopian tube submucosa was identified in 31 (65%) of 48 women with ectopic pregnancies and in 8 (33%) of 24 undergoing tubal ligation (P = .01; odds ratio [OR], 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-10.3). Plasma cell infiltration was correlated with C. trachomatis seropositivity among women with ectopic pregnancy (P = .005; OR, 7.2; 95% CI, 1.7-31) and among women undergoing tubal ligation (P = .008). Of 21 C. trachomatis-seropositive women with ectopic pregnancies, 19 had antibodies to the 57-kDa antigen compared with 1 of 4 seropositive women having tubal ligation (P = .008). Immune responses to the 57-kDa antigen may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of C. trachomatis-associated ectopic pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chlamydia Infections / epidemiology
  • Chlamydia Infections / microbiology*
  • Chlamydia Infections / pathology
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / immunology
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / isolation & purification*
  • Fallopian Tubes / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / isolation & purification
  • Plasma Cells
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / microbiology*
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / pathology
  • Sterilization, Tubal

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin G