Importance of chlamydial antibodies in acute salpingitis in central Africa

Abstract

Of 35 women with acute salpingitis on laparoscopy, 86% had chlamydial antibodies at a titre of 1/16 or higher and 49% at a titre of 1/512 or higher. Geometric mean titres of chlamydial antibodies correlated significantly with a laparoscopic observation of chronic salpingitis (p < 0.001), with a history of infertility (p < 0.05), and with severe inflammation (p < 0.10), but not with a history of salpingitis or a positive cervical culture for Chlamydia trachomatis. In the subgroup of infertile women, the geometric mean titre of antibodies to chlamydiae correlated significantly with the presence of chronic salpingitis (p < 0.005). These data indicate that chlamydial infections play a major part in salpingitis and infertility in central Africa. In this area, which is known as the 'infertility belt', programmes to control chlamydial infections should be implemented.