Chlamydiasis and Human Heat Shock Protein 60-KDa Expression among Women with Miscarriages in Sokoto Metropolis, North-Western Nigeria

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the role of C. trachomatis and expression of human heat shock protein-60 in pregnancy loss among women with miscarriages in Sokoto Metropolis. North-western, Nigeria.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Specialists Hospital and Maryam Abacha women and children hospital, Sokoto between June, 2015 to August, 2016.

Methodology: A total of ninety (90) subjects comprising of fourty five women with miscarriages and fourty five women without any history of miscarriage served as control were involved in the study. Antibodies to C. trachomatis (IgG) and human heat shock protein-60 were estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: The overall seroprevalence of C. trachomatis was 7.7%. The seroprevalence in the cases and control subjects were 11% and 4.4% respectively (χ2=0.6196, df=1, OR=2.688 (95% CI: 0.4930 to 14.65); p= 0.4312). The mean and standard error of mean of the Human heat shock protein 60 among the cases and control subject were 20.9 ± 0.8 and 23.2 ± 1.6(ng/mL).

Conclusion: In this present study, it was conclude that antibodies to C. trachomatis was detected more 5/45 (11.0%) in women with miscarriage than 2/45 (4.4%) in women without any history of miscarriage. Estimation of human heat shock protein-60 could serve as a marker to complement the laboratory diagnosis C. trachomatis including pregnancy loss.It was also suggested that women with previous exposure to C. trachomatis have a risk of miscarriage with an odd ratio of 2.688.Public awareness and preconception screening is advocated.