Chlamydia trachomatis serology screening in reproductive medicine

Over the past two to three decades, Chlamydia trachomatis serology has been established as a useful, noninvasive and relatively inexpensive means of screening for the most common cause of tubal infertility. Currently, the most reliable laboratory assay in Chlamydia antibody testing is trachomatis type-specific micro-immunofluorescence. While a positive Chlamydia serology may be associated with other reproductive disorders, such as ectopic pregnancy, pelvic pain or habitual abortion, its clinical utility has only been established as a screening test for tubal infertility. Furthermore, when Chlamydia antibody testing is combined with hysterosalpingography for screening, the few patients who require laparoscopic salpingectomy or IVF can be clearly identified, while the majority of infertility patients with negative findings can avoid invasive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.