Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the uterine cervix and abnormal smears

SummaryThe possible association between cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection and abnormal smears was studied in 76 women with abnormal smears, in 58 women with infertility problems and in 286 women seeking legal first trimester abortion. The infection was demonstrated by isolation of the organism. The highest incidence of C. trachomatis infection (9 per cent) was found in patients seeking abortion; there was 5 per cent in the patients with abnormal smears and none in the infertile patients. None of the infertile or abortion patients with positive smears had positive cultures for C. trachomatis. None of the 26 patients seeking abortion with positive cultures developed abnormal smears during a follow-up of one to three years.This study does not support any association between cervical C. trachomatis infection and cervical dysplasia.