ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of the major outer-membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis in fallopian tube tissue specimens of infertile women with chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa with tubal occlusion. DESIGN: Prospective controlled study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bochum, Herne, Germany. PATIENT(S): Fifty-six consecutive infertile women with histologically documented chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa and bilateral tubal occlusions were evaluated. They were compared with 28 fertile women. INTERVENTION(S): Fallopian tube tissue specimens were taken during reconstructive infertility surgery, including cesarean section and tubal ligation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Detection of the major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis in fallopian tube tissue specimens by a direct fluorescent antibody test. RESULT(S): The major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis was found in fallopian tube tissue specimens in 11 of 56 infertile patients (20%) with chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa. The median titer of IgG serum antibodies to Chlamydia was significantly higher in women with the major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis than in patients without this antigen. In comparison, the major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis was not found in any of the fallopian tube tissue specimens of the control group. CONCLUSION(S): The presence of the major outer-membrane protein of C. trachomatis is associated with chronic salpingitis and/or salpingitis isthmica nodosa with tubal occlusion.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/analysis , Chlamydia trachomatis , Fallopian Tube Diseases/microbiology , Infertility, Female/microbiology , Salpingitis/microbiology , Adult , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
A post-column reagent mixture of Eriochrome Black T and magnesium-EDTA complex is added to the eluent from an ion-chromatograph. Eluted metal cations displace the magnesium, which then forms a complex with the Eriochrome Black T. The absorbance of this complex is measured at 520 nm. Detection limits for several cations are in the mug/ml range.
