Acute and Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection in Pregnancy Complicated with Preeclampsia

Abstract

Objective. To investigate whether Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) infection is more common in women whose current pregnancy is complicated with preeclampsia (PE) as compared to pregnant women without PE. Methods. Thirty pregnant women with PE and 30 pregnant women without PE were studied between 29 and 30 weeks of gestation. The presence of an acute or chronic Cp infection was determined by the estimations of serum IgG, IgM, and IgA Cp antibodies. Results. None of the women were diagnosed as having acute Cp infection. Prevalence of chronic Cp infection was 53 and 66% in the PE and control groups, respectively (X², p = 0.068). Conclusion. Chronic Cp infection is not more common in women whose pregnancy is complicated with PE as compared to pregnant women without PE. Therefore, no association between Cp infection and PE can be established.

Keywords:

• Chlamydia pneumoniae
• Preeclampsia
• Pregnancy