Molecular Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in Infertile Syrian Women: A Comparative Analysis of ompA and Cryptic Plasmid PCR Assays

Background Chlamydia trachomatis is a highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) strongly associated with female infertility. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is considered the gold standard for diagnosis, utilizing primers designed to target either the ompA gene (encoding the major outer membrane protein) or the cryptic plasmid gene. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on infertile women attending the Infertility Clinic at Damascus University Obstetrics Hospital, Syria. A total of 160 cervical swab samples were analyzed from these women. Genomic DNA was extracted using a Qiagen kit, followed by PCR with primers targeting Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein gene (CTM - ompA -targeting) and cryptic plasmid (CTP -cryptic plasmid-targeting). Findings Positivity rates were 51.3% for CTM and 31.9% for CTP. A statistically significant association was observed between C. trachomatis infection and monthly income (p= 0.039), as well as between it and education level (p= 0.001). Additionally, a significant association was found between C. trachomatis positivity and education level (p= 0.017). Interpretation These findings underscore the significant burden of Chlamydia trachomatis in infertile Syrian women and highlight the diagnostic advantages of ompA- based PCR, suggesting socioeconomic factors influence infection prevalence.