The Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis Using Nested PCR in Prematurity and Delivery of Low Birth Weight Infant

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) has generally been more sensitive than traditional tests for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis which has been a leading cause of sexually transmitted disease. We performed this study to find out if there is an association between C. trachomatis infection and low birth weight(LBW) or prematurity. METHODS: The study included 98 premature or LBW infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Soonchunhyang Chunan hospital between January and July of 1999. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were obtained from 98 neonates with a LBW or prematurity. Endotracheal secretions were obtained from 28 LBW or premature infants. Vaginal swabs were collected from 47 mothers who had given birth to LBW or premature infants. We performed the nested PCR with Chlamydia-CR kit(Bioneer, Korea). PCR products were resolved by electrophoresis on 2% agarose gel. These products were observed by their size which was 345 bp. RESULTS: C. trachomatis was not detected by the nested PCR from 98 nasopharyngeal swabs nor 28 endotracheal secretion specimens. But, C. trachomatis was detected in 2(4.2%) out of 47 vaginal swab specimens from mothers who had given birth to LBW or premature infants. CONCLUSION: The nested PCR is a relatively simple, fast and practical tool for the detection of C. trachomatis, but the positive rates of C. trachomatis were low in LBW or premature infants and also in mothers who had given birth to LBW or premature infants. We suggest two possible conclusions from our study. The first is that nasopharyngeal swabs and endotracheal secretions are improper specimens for C. trachomatis. The second is that C. trachomatis infection is lower in our study.