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ABSTRACT
Objectives To investigate the association between selected sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the later occurrence of ectopic pregnancy.
Methods A total of 125 women with ectopic pregnancy and 125 pregnant controls were recruited between January 2003 and February 2005 at Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak Women’s Health Education and Research Hospital, in Ankara, Turkey. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the prevalence of serum antibodies to Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis and to Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 IgG and, indirect immunofluorescence test was used to determine the prevalence of serum antibodies to Mycoplasma (M.) hominis and Ureaplasma (U.) urealyticum.
Results The prevalence of C. trachomatis Ig G antibody in women with ectopic pregnancy (31/125; 25%) was significantly higher than in controls (12/125; 9.6%) (crude Odds Ratio [OR]: 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51–6.38; p = 0.001). However, there was no significant association between C. trachomatis IgM; M. hominis IgG, IgM; U. urealyticum IgG, IGM; and HSV-2 IgG, and ectopic pregnancy.
Conclusions Previous chlamydial infection plays an important role in the aetiology of ectopic pregnancy. There was no association between M. hominis, U. urealyticum and HSV-2 infections, and ectopic pregnancy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are indebted to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany, and Ozmen Tibbi Laboratuar Teshisleri A.S. (EUROIMMUN Turkey), Istanbul, Turkey, for having provided test kits and carried out the serological tests.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and the writing of the paper.