Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Cervical ‎Samples from Infertile Women and Related Genotypes

Aims Chlamydia trachomatis infection is a sexually transmitted disease that its majority infections are asymptomatic and can cause infertility. So, determining its frequency and prevalent genotypes in each zone is necessary to provide clues for clinicians and also to prevent or minimize its complications. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in infertile women in Isfahan, Iran and its association with some clinical findings and determining the involved genotype in the understudy population. Materials & Methods This experimental study was conducted among infertile women referring to two infertility clinics in Isfahan, Iran in 2018. 180 endocervical samples were selected using cross sectional Sampling method based on the defined clinical criteria for infertility and confirmed by gynecologist. Genotyping of positive samples was done based on PCR-RFLP of omp1 gene and then DNA digestion with HpaII, HinfI and AluI restriction enzymes. The relations between genotypes, clinical sings, age, primary and secondary infertility, and duration of infertility and abortion history were analyzed using chi-square test. Findings The frequency of C. trachomatis infection in 180 samples was 10.5% in infertile women. E, F, and D genotypes were prevalent in this population. There was a significant association between infection and abortion among patients with primary and secondary infertility. Conclusion The frequency of C. trachomatis infection in 180 endocervical samples is 10.5% in infertile women in Isfahan, Iran. E, F and D genotypes are prevalent in this population. C. trachomatis infection is prevalent in infertile women especially in secondary infertility.