The association of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and group B streptococci with preterm rupture of the membranes and pregnancy outcome

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1988 Aug;159(2):397-404. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(88)80093-0.

Abstract

There is conflicting evidence regarding a possible causal role for Chlamydia trachomatis in the development of preterm premature rupture of the membranes. We investigated the relative prevalence of endocervical infection with C. trachomatis and group B streptococci in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes compared with a control group taken from the same obstetric population. C. trachomatis was isolated from 23/52 (44%) patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes versus 13/84 (15%) women in the control group (p less than 0.001). This association was independent of infection with group B streptococci or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Group B streptococci were isolated from 16% of the patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes versus 4% of the control population (p less than 0.05). The risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes associated with group B streptococcal infection was independent of infection with C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae. Endocervical infection with C. trachomatis did not significantly affect early maternal complication rates after delivery.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chlamydia Infections / complications*
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Fetal Death
  • Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture / etiology*
  • Gonorrhea / complications*
  • Humans
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / isolation & purification
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious*
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications*
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / isolation & purification
  • Uterine Cervical Diseases / complications*
  • Uterine Cervical Diseases / microbiology