Human and Pathogen Factors Associated with Chlamydia trachomatis-Related Infertility in Women

S Menon; Peter Timms; John A Allan; K Alexander; L Rombauts; P Horner; M Keltz; J Hocking; W M Huston

doi:10.1128/CMR.00035-15

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Human and Pathogen Factors Associated with Chlamydia trachomatis-Related Infertility in Women

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Human and Pathogen Factors Associated with Chlamydia trachomatis-Related Infertility in Women

S Menon, Peter Timms, John A Allan, K Alexander, L Rombauts, P Horner, M Keltz, J Hocking and W M Huston

Clinical Microbiology Reviews, Vol.28(4), pp.969-985

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.00035-15

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Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis

chlamydial infertility

women

reproductive pathologies

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted pathogen worldwide. Infection can result in serious reproductive pathologies, including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility, in women. However, the processes that result in these reproductive pathologies have not been well defined. Here we review the evidence for the human disease burden of these chlamydial reproductive pathologies. We then review human-based evidence that links Chlamydia with reproductive pathologies in women. We present data supporting the idea that host, immunological, epidemiological, and pathogen factors may all contribute to the development of infertility. Specifically, we review the existing evidence that host and pathogen genotypes, host hormone status, age of sexual debut, sexual behavior, coinfections, and repeat infections are all likely to be contributory factors in development of infertility. Pathogen factors such as infectious burden, treatment failure, and tissue tropisms or ascension capacity are also potential contributory factors. We present four possible processes of pathology development and how these processes are supported by the published data. We highlight the limitations of the evidence and propose future studies that could improve our understanding of how chlamydial infertility in women occurs and possible future interventions to reduce this disease burden.

Details

Title: Human and Pathogen Factors Associated with Chlamydia trachomatis-Related Infertility in Women
Authors: S Menon (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Peter Timms (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
John A Allan (Author) - Wesley Hospital
K Alexander (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
L Rombauts (Author) - MIMR-PH Institute of Medical Research
P Horner (Author) - University of Bristol, United Kingdom
M Keltz (Author) - WESTMED Reproductive Services, United States
J Hocking (Author) - University of Melbourne
W M Huston (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Publication details: Clinical Microbiology Reviews, Vol.28(4), pp.969-985
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00035-15
ISSN: 0893-8512
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449489802621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Microbiology

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