The long term follow-up of asymptomatic women with Chlamydia trachomatis

Abstract

A community oriented intervention program was initiated in 1985 in 12 rural communities in southern Israel to identify and treat women of reproductive age with markers of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection. Among 860 women tested, 21 (2.4%) had CT IgG antibody titers greater than or equal to 128, or CT IgA antibody titers greater than or equal to 16, and 9 of these women had positive cultures for CT. The 21 women, as well as their male partners, received specific anti-CT treatment, and were followed up for 5 years to assess obstetric complications, and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. In 9 women positive cultures became negative. In 13 out of the 17 cases with sequential follow-up a four fold decrease in IgG specific antibody titers was observed. Yet, in all but two of the cases, IgA specific antibody titers remained greater than or equal to 16.

Chlamydia trachomatisandMycoplasma genitaliumPlasma Antibodies in Relation to Epithelial Ovarian Tumors

“…Similar to this, concerning cervical cancer, Naucler et al observed a positive correlation between C. trachomatis IgG antibodies and cases observed during followup, but not with cases identified at baseline [39]; cHSP60-1 IgG antibodies have been associated with cervical cancer in cases with long lag time [40]; and C. trachomatis DNA in Pap smears taken many years before diagnosis have been associated with cervical cancer [41]. A conceivable explanation for this might be that C. trachomatis exerts its effect many years, or decades, before the cancer is overt and that antibodies might decline over time [43–46]. …”

Immunopathogenesis of chlamydia trachomatis infections in women

“…However, although IgG antibodies may denote previous, resolved infection, the presence of IgA in some women has been reported in a number of studies as a marker of chronic infection and linked to pathological sequelae of C. trachomatis infection ascending from the cervix and internalizing within the upper reproductive tract (12)(13)(14).…”

Chlamydia trachomatis : identifying women with tubal factor subfertility

“…Following C. trachomatis infections, which mainly affect adolescents, a decade or more may pass until women present with subfertility. Serum IgG antibodies are known to remain detectable for many years , even after antibiotic treatment (Puolakkainen et al, 1986, Chaim et al, 1992, Piura et al, 1993. Therefore, in subfertile women CAT is considered a useful tool since it reflects a previous C. trachomatis infection.…”