Antibody to the Chlamydia trachomatis 60 kDa heat shock protein in follicular fluid and in vitro fertilization outcome

Problem The association between 60 kDa Chlamydia trachomatis heat shock protein (CHSP60) antibodies and the etiology and outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes is not well known. Method of study A retrospective study with a double-blind analysis of follicular fluid from 253 IVF patients for IgG antibodies to CHSP60. Results The CHSP60 antibodies were detected in 74.1% of women without embryo implantation and in 47.9% of women with 1-3 implantations per IVF cycle (P = 0.0004). CHSP60 antibodies were detected in 69.5% of women with tubal occlusion and 49.7% of women with other causes of infertility (P = 0.01). CHSP60 antibody detection was unrelated to maternal age, number of oocytes collected, or percentage of oocytes fertilized. Conclusion Detection of IgG antibody to CHSP60 may indicate persistence of C. trachomatis in the upper genital tract with low implantation rates resulting from a chronic inflammatory reaction. Alternatively, as human hsp60 is expressed in early stage embryogenesis, a cross-reacting antibody may induce destruction of the embryo.