Chlamydia trachomatis, pelvic inflammatory diseases and sterility

The authors analyse the results of direct (cervical, urethral, tubal) and serological research of Chlamydia trachomatis in a sample population of 420 women undergoing celioscopy due to sterility and pelvic pain, paying particular attention to a group of 193 who were found to be suffering from PID (acute, sequelae). In terms of absolute numbers the correlation between chlamydial contact-PID-sterility is confirmed, whereas in an analysis of the levels of direct positivity it is only significant for acute PID, and in cases of sequelae and in sterility with chronic infection with or without tubal damage the direct identification of Chlamydia trachomatis does not differ much from controls. Salpingo-peritoneal isolation was found to be completely lacking in significance.