The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Effect of Chlamydia Infection on Ectopic Pregnancy: A Case - Control Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fahimeh Yazdi 1
Bahiyeh Namavar Jahromi 2
Mohammad Motamedifar 3
Sina Vakili 4
Soudabeh Sabetian 4
Mahtab Haddadi 5
1 Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Faculty of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
2 Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Faculty of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fellowship in Infertility, Infertility Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
3 Professor, Department of Medical Microbiology, HIV/AIDS Research Center, Health Policy Research Institute, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
5 Ph.D. Student, Department of Medical Bacteriology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2023.66117.5353
Abstract
Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis is a common infection in young and sexually active women. Although most cases of infection are asymptomatic, but, potentially dangerous, regarding women's reproductive health. The present study was conducted with aim to compare the frequency of active chlamydia infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in women with ectopic and intrauterine pregnancies.
Methods: In this case-control study, 200 pregnant womenو including 100 patients with ectopic pregnancy as the case group and 100 women with normal intra-uterine pregnancy as the control group, were evaluated and compared regarding chlamydia infection, history of exposure to cigarette smoke, age of marriage, history of urinary tract infection, genital infection and abortion. PCR was used to diagnose chlamydia trachomatis. Data were analyzed by statistical SPSS software (version 25) and independent t-test, chi-square and Fisher's exact test. P < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: In the case and control groups, mean age were 32.6 ± 2.9 and 31.27± 3.7 years, frequency of chlamydia was 1% and 10% (P=0.005), history of active and inactive exposure to cigarette smoke was 39.7% and 19.8% (P=0.015), genital infections were 39.1% and 16.8% (p=0.011), recent urinary tract infections as 11.4% and 9.7% (p=0.719) and sexually transmitted infections were 60.4% and 16.6% (p=0.001), respectively.
Conclusion: The frequency of exposure to cigarette smoke and the history of previous sexually transmitted infections were higher in women with ectopic pregnancy than those with normal pregnancy, but chlamydia trachomatis was lower in ectopic pregnancy than normal pregnancy. Given the contradictory findings, it seems that more research is needed for evaluating the possible effect of active Chlamydia trachomatis infection on development of ectopic pregnancy.
Keywords
Ectopic Pregnancy
Chlamydia Trachomatis
Genital Infection
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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 29, Issue 1
March 2026
Pages 42-51