Seroprevalence of anti- chlamydia trachomatis IgG and IgM antibodies Among Pregnant women in Diyala Province

Abstract EN

Background : Chlamydia trachomatis infections are the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) recognized throughout the world.

Screening programs for C.

trachomatis is of paramount importance in the prevention of long-term sequelae.

Objectives: To investigate the anti-chlamydia IgG and IgM seropositivity of healthy pregnant women in Baquba-Diyala province.

Subjects and methods: Atotal of 91 normal healthy women were included in this study, which was conducted for the period from 1st.

November/2011 to 1st.

March 2012.

They were chosen by simple random selection from Al-Batool Teaching Hospital for maternity and children, and some health care centers in Baquba city.

The age range was 17-42 years.

49 (53.8 %) and 42 (46.1 %) were from rural and urban areas respectively.

77 (84.6 %) of women with no previous abortion, and 14 (15.3 %) with one or more abortions.

15 (16.5 %) with no previous deliveries, and 76 (83.5 %) had a number of children ranging from 1 to 7.

The anti-chlamydia IgG and anti-chlamydia IgM antibodies were detected using ELISA technique.

Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version -15, and P - value of < 0.05 was considered significance.

Results: The results revealed that the rate of anti-chlamydia IgG antibody among pregnant women was 5(5.5%), and 3 (3.3%) women were positive for anti-chlamydia IgM antibody.

All anti-chlamydia IgM and the majority of anti-chlamydia IgG antibody positive women were belong to the age group 20-29 years.

The anti-chlamydia IgM and IgG positivity rate has no association with residency, number of children, number of previous abortions, and the duration of pregnancy.

Conclusion: The rate of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among healthy pregnant women in diyala province was low.