Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Cervical ‎Samples from Infertile Women and Related Genotypes

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is a sexually transmitted disease that its majority infections are asymptomatic and can cause infertility. So, determining its frequency and prevalent genotypes in each zone is necessary to provide clues for clinicians and also to prevent or minimize its complications. The aim of this study was determining the prevalence of C. trachomatis and related genotypes in infertile women and relation with type of infertility.
For this purpose, a primary screening based on amplification of cryptic plasmid gene was done on endocervical samples obtained from infertile women referring to two infertility treatment clinics. Genotyping of positive samples was done based on PCR-RFLP of omp1 gene and then DNA digestion with Hpa II, Hinf I and Alu I restriction enzymes. The association of infection with age, abortion and primary and secondary infertility was analyzed by statistical analysis.
As a result of this study, the frequency of C. trachomatis infection in 180 endocervical samples was 10.5 % in infertile women. The PCR-RFLP analysis results showed that E, F and D genotypes are prevalent in this population. There was a significant association between infection and abortion among patients with primary and secondary infertility.
Finally, based on the obtained results it can be concluded that C. trachomatis infection is prevalent in infertile women especially in secondary infertility. So, it must be regarded in preventive care and control program hence its diagnosis and treatment can reduce infertility rate among women.