ORIGINAL: Association Between Anti-Chlamydial Antibodies and Tubal Factor Infertility in South Eastern Nigeria

West Afr J Med. 2024 November; 41(11): 1091-1096 PMID: 40221906

Authors

  • J. C. Akabueze Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
  • P. U. Agu Department of Obstetrics and Gynanecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
  • E. O. Ugwu Department of Obstetrics and Gynanecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
  • S. N. Obi Department of Obstetrics and Gynanecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
  • U. U. Aniebue Department of Obstetrics and Gynanecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
  • G. U. Eleje Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nnewi Campus, Anambra state, Nigeria.
  • A. O. Ugwu Department of Haematology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
  • C. S. Anigbo Department of Haematology and Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
  • P. C. Ekwueme Department of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
  • M. I. Eze Department of Obstetrics and Gynanecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
  • K. E. Ekwuazi Department of Obstetrics and Gynanecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.

Keywords:

Anti-chlamydial antibodies, Infertility, Tubal factor

Abstract

Background: Chlamydia Trachomatis infection often runs an asymptomatic course with long-term sequelae. It commonly affects the fallopian tubes and could result in tubal blockage. A study of antichlamydial antibodies, a marker of the disease's presence, could help understand the disease burden in a given population.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of anti-chlamydial antibodies, and its association with tubal infertility among female partners of infertile couples in Enugu, South-eastern Nigeria.

Methodology: It was a cross-sectional analytical study involving two groups of infertile women attending gynaecology clinics of two tertiary institutions in Enugu, south-eastern Nigeria. Group A (Study group) had tubal factor infertility (n = 143) while Group B (Control) had non-tubal factor infertility (n = 143). Data were obtained using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Peripheral blood samples were collected and analyzed for anti-chlamydial antibodies using Human chlamydial trachomatis ELISA kits. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 25.0 was used for analysis. P-value of <0.05 was statistically significant.

Result: The overall prevalence of chlamydial seropositivity was 28.0%. Women with tubal factor infertility were almost twice more likely to have chlamydial seropositivity than those with non-tubal factor infertility (33.6% vs 22.4%; OR = 1.75; 95% C.I = 1.03 - 2.96; p = 0.036). Bilateral tubal occlusion (66.4%) was the commonest tubal pathology identified in the hysterosalpingogram.

Conclusion: Anti-chlamydial antibodies were significantly associated with tubal factor infertility in Enugu, South-eastern Nigeria. It is recommended that serum anti-chlamydial antibody testing could be adopted as a screening test for tubal infertility in the study population.

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Published

2024-11-29

Issue

Vol. 41 No. 11 (2024): The West African Journal of Medicine

Section

Articles