Chlamydia antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and associated severity of tubal factor infertility.

We have evaluated the clinical utility of the serum chlamydial antibody value by ELISA in predicting the severity of tubal factor infertility quantified by the use of a previously reported pelvic scoring system. Significant differences in salpingitis scores, tubal occlusion scores, adhesion scores, and pelvic stages were found with increasing chlamydia antibody grades. The level of ELISA value strongly correlated with salpingitis, tubal occlusion, and total pelvic scores and pelvic stages. The serum chlamydia antibody level by ELISA now appears to be a useful prognostic tool for predicting the severity of tubal factor infertility in addition to its value in screening for its presence.