Genome-wide identification of Chlamydia Trachomatis antigens associated with tubal factor infertility

Abstract

ObjectiveTo identify Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) antigens associated with tubal factor infertility using a genome-wide proteome array.DesignSubjects were assigned to the tubal factor infertility (TFI) or infertile control (IC)group based on results of pelvic laparoscopy. CT antibody response profiles were assessed to identify antigens associated with tubal pathology.Materials and Methods31 TFI and 23 IFC patients from a university-based fertility clinic were enrolled after IRB approval. Patients with a history of appendicitis or endometriosis were excluded. Serum samples were analyzed for CT titre utilizing immunofluorescence assay. The antibody recognition of each of 933 CT antigens was independently confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Log transformation of data was used for normalization prior to analysis with either Student T-test or Fisher's Exact test.ResultsA greater percentage of patients in the TFI group had high antibody titers to CT (>1:10,000) compared to the IC group (61% vs 4.4%, p < 0.001). A total of 30 antigens were preferentially recognized by antibodies from the TFI group with a detection sensitivity and specificity of 80.6% and 56.5%, respectively, with 10 antigens showing 100% specificity. A combination of CT443 and CT381 yielded the highest sensitivity (67.7%) while maintaining 100% specificity, when compared with single antigens alone or in combination.ConclusionOur findings show that antibodies to CT443 and CT381, when used in combination, have higher sensitivity and specificity in prediction of TFI than other indicators for TFI such as HSP60 (35.5%, 100%) or hysterosalpingogram (65%, 83%). In the future, utilization of a serum antibody panel may lead to a more reliable diagnosis of TFI which does not require expensive, invasive methods for diagnosis. ObjectiveTo identify Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) antigens associated with tubal factor infertility using a genome-wide proteome array. To identify Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) antigens associated with tubal factor infertility using a genome-wide proteome array. DesignSubjects were assigned to the tubal factor infertility (TFI) or infertile control (IC)group based on results of pelvic laparoscopy. CT antibody response profiles were assessed to identify antigens associated with tubal pathology. Subjects were assigned to the tubal factor infertility (TFI) or infertile control (IC)group based on results of pelvic laparoscopy. CT antibody response profiles were assessed to identify antigens associated with tubal pathology. Materials and Methods31 TFI and 23 IFC patients from a university-based fertility clinic were enrolled after IRB approval. Patients with a history of appendicitis or endometriosis were excluded. Serum samples were analyzed for CT titre utilizing immunofluorescence assay. The antibody recognition of each of 933 CT antigens was independently confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Log transformation of data was used for normalization prior to analysis with either Student T-test or Fisher's Exact test. 31 TFI and 23 IFC patients from a university-based fertility clinic were enrolled after IRB approval. Patients with a history of appendicitis or endometriosis were excluded. Serum samples were analyzed for CT titre utilizing immunofluorescence assay. The antibody recognition of each of 933 CT antigens was independently confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Log transformation of data was used for normalization prior to analysis with either Student T-test or Fisher's Exact test. ResultsA greater percentage of patients in the TFI group had high antibody titers to CT (>1:10,000) compared to the IC group (61% vs 4.4%, p < 0.001). A total of 30 antigens were preferentially recognized by antibodies from the TFI group with a detection sensitivity and specificity of 80.6% and 56.5%, respectively, with 10 antigens showing 100% specificity. A combination of CT443 and CT381 yielded the highest sensitivity (67.7%) while maintaining 100% specificity, when compared with single antigens alone or in combination. A greater percentage of patients in the TFI group had high antibody titers to CT (>1:10,000) compared to the IC group (61% vs 4.4%, p < 0.001). A total of 30 antigens were preferentially recognized by antibodies from the TFI group with a detection sensitivity and specificity of 80.6% and 56.5%, respectively, with 10 antigens showing 100% specificity. A combination of CT443 and CT381 yielded the highest sensitivity (67.7%) while maintaining 100% specificity, when compared with single antigens alone or in combination. ConclusionOur findings show that antibodies to CT443 and CT381, when used in combination, have higher sensitivity and specificity in prediction of TFI than other indicators for TFI such as HSP60 (35.5%, 100%) or hysterosalpingogram (65%, 83%). In the future, utilization of a serum antibody panel may lead to a more reliable diagnosis of TFI which does not require expensive, invasive methods for diagnosis. Our findings show that antibodies to CT443 and CT381, when used in combination, have higher sensitivity and specificity in prediction of TFI than other indicators for TFI such as HSP60 (35.5%, 100%) or hysterosalpingogram (65%, 83%). In the future, utilization of a serum antibody panel may lead to a more reliable diagnosis of TFI which does not require expensive, invasive methods for diagnosis.