Chlamydia trachomatis attached to spermatozoa recovered from the peritoneal cavity of patients with salpingitis.

Five in a series of ten patients with laparoscopically demonstrated salpingitis had cultures positive for Chlamydia trachomatis obtained from tubal and peritoneal surfaces. Spermatozoa were observed in the peritoneal fluid of three of these patients, and two had cultures positive for C trachomatis. C trachomatis was attached to spermatozoa recovered from the peritoneal cavity in both patients. This observation suggests that spermatozoa may serve as vectors for C trachomatis and spread this pathogen to the peritoneal surfaces of the uterus and fallopian tubes.