Presence of the major outer-membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis in patients with chronic salpingitis and salpingitis isthmica nodosa with tubal occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of the major outer-membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis in fallopian tube tissue specimens of infertile women with chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa with tubal occlusion.

DESIGN: Prospective controlled study.

SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bochum, Herne, Germany.

PATIENT(S): Fifty-six consecutive infertile women with histologically documented chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa and bilateral tubal occlusions were evaluated. They were compared with 28 fertile women.

INTERVENTION(S): Fallopian tube tissue specimens were taken during reconstructive infertility surgery, including cesarean section and tubal ligation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Detection of the major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis in fallopian tube tissue specimens by a direct fluorescent antibody test.

RESULT(S): The major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis was found in fallopian tube tissue specimens in 11 of 56 infertile patients (20%) with chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa. The median titer of IgG serum antibodies to Chlamydia was significantly higher in women with the major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis than in patients without this antigen. In comparison, the major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis was not found in any of the fallopian tube tissue specimens of the control group.

CONCLUSION(S): The presence of the major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis is associated with chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa with tubal occlusion.