Chlamydia trachomatis immunoglobulin G3 seropositivity is a predictor of reproductive outcomes in infertile women with patent fallopian tubes

Anne Z. Steiner, Michael Peter Diamond, Richard S. Legro, William D. Schlaff, Kurt T. Barnhart, Peter R. Casson, Gregory M. Christman, Ruben Alvero, Karl R. Hansen, William M. Geisler, Tracey Thomas, Nanette Santoro, Heping Zhang, Esther Eisenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective To determine if Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) seropositivity, as detected by the C. trachomatis elementary body (EB)-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [EB ELISA] predicts pregnancy and pregnancy outcome among infertile women with documented tubal patency. Design Cohort study. Setting Outpatient clinics. Patient(s) In all, 1,250 infertile women with documented tubal patency enrolled in 1 of 2 randomized controlled trials: Pregnancy in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome II; and the Assessment of Multiple Intrauterine Gestations From Ovarian Stimulation. Intervention(s) Sera were analyzed for anti-C. trachomatis immunoglobulin G (IgG)1 and IgG3 antibodies, using a research C. trachomatis EB ELISA. The optical density (OD)405 readings of ≥0.35 and ≥0.1 were considered positive for IgG1 and IgG3, respectively. Main Outcome Measure(s) Primary outcomes included pregnancy, live birth, and ectopic pregnancy. Log-linear regression was used to determine the relative risk after adjusting for age, race, treatment medication, smoking status, and current alcohol use. Result(s) A total of 243 (19%) women were seropositive for anti-C. trachomatis IgG3. They tended to be nonwhite and smokers. Anti-C. trachomatis IgG3 seropositive women were significantly less likely to conceive (risk ratio [RR] 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.83) or to have a live birth (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.43-0.80); these associations were weakened after adjusting for number of hysterosalpingography-documented patent tubes (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56-0.97) and (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.50-1.04), respectively. Anti-C. trachomatis IgG3 seropositive women who conceived had a ×2.7 risk (95% CI 1.40-5.34) of ectopic pregnancy. Conclusion(s) Even in the presence of tubal patency, anti-C. trachomatis IgG3 seropositivity is associated with a lower likelihood of pregnancy. Anti-C. trachomatis IgG3 seropositive women have as high as 3 times the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Clinical Trial Registration Number PPCOSII: NCT00719186 and AMIGOS: NCT01044862.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1522-1526
Number of pages5
JournalFertility and sterility
Volume104
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Chlamydia trachomatis
  • ectopic pregnancy
  • infertility
  • pregnancy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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