Molecular detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in women with bad obstetric history

Abstract EN

Bad obstetric history is multifactorial common female genital disorders.

A significant percentage of cases are attributed to infectious agents, of which Chlamydia trachomatis attracted less attention.

This study aimed to assess the role of Chlamydia trachomatis in a sample of Iraqi women with bad obstetric history using molecular methods.

This case-control study recruited 100 women with bad obstetric history (referred as cases onward) and 40 age-matched apparently healthy women as controls.

Bacterial DNA was isolated from homogenized placental tissues obtained from each participant post-delivery.

The 16S ribosomal gene of the Chlamydia trachomatis was amplified with specific set of primers using conventional PCR.

Twenty-Three placental samples (23%) gave positive results for gene amplification from cases, while none of women in control groups gave such a result.

The infection rates were significantly higher in 31-39 age group, aborted women in the first trimester and in women with more than 4 pregnancies compared to other age groups, women aborted in the trimester, and women with 4 or less pregnancies respectively.

These data highly suggested the association of C.

trachomatis with bad obstetric history.

Screening program for detection of these bacteria in pregnant women should be considered.