Combined detection of Chlamydia trachomatis-specific antibodies against the 10 and 60-kDa heat shock proteins as a diagnostic tool for tubal factor infertility: Results from a case-control study in Cameroon.

ABSTRACT

A case-control study was conducted to determine the diagnostic value of Chlamydia trachomatis-associated anti-Chsp10 and/or anti-Chsp60 antibodies in the detection of secondary infertility. There were significant associations between C. trachomatis infection and infertility (p<0.01), and between C. trachomatis-specific anti-Chsp10 or anti-Chsp60 antibodies and secondary infertility (p<0.001). A significant correlation was found between anti-Chsp10 and anti-Chsp60 titers (p<0.01). The detection of either C. trachomatis-associated anti-Chsp10 or anti-Chsp60 antibodies cumulatively allowed specific diagnosis of secondary infertility (57.4% sensitivity, 75.5% specificity).