Cervical nitric oxide release in Chlamydia trachomatis and high-risk human papillomavirus infection

Abstract

To compare cervical fluid nitric oxide release in women with and without Chlamydia trachomatis and high-risk human papillomavirus infection (hrHPV). An open clinical study. University Hospital of Helsinki. Thirty-nine women with (n=21) and without C. trachomatis (n=18). Chlamydia trachomatis and/or hrHPV were studied by using specific RNA- and DNA-based tests. Levels of cervical fluid nitric oxide metabolite (NOx) were assessed by the Griess reaction. The difference in cervical fluid NOx between women with and without C. trachomatis and hrHPV. Fourteen (67%) C. trachomatis-infected women and three (17%) noninfected women had concomitant hrHPV. The level of cervical fluid NOx in women with C. trachomatis (median 37.5 μmol/l, 95% confidence interval 26.1-50.9) was higher (p=0.02) than that in C. trachomatis-noninfected women (median 19.7 μmol/L, 95% confidence interval 5.6-30.0). The presence of hrHPV did not associate with any difference in NOx levels between C. trachomatis-infected or -noninfected women. Chlamydia trachomatis was associated with increased release of nitric oxide metabolites in the uterine cervix. This stimulus was stronger than that of hrHPV, because no additional rise in NOx was seen in women with concomitant C. trachomatis and hrHPV infection.