Prior Chlamydia trachomatis Infection Linked to Ovarian Cancer

Researchers from the from University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have found that past or ongoing Chlamydia trachomatis infection may be a risk factor for ovarian cancer.

The study involved 117 women with ovarian cancer and 171 age and ethnicity matched women without ovarian cancer. Women with ovarian cancer were more likely than women without ovarian cancer to have high levels of chlamydia-EB antibodies. The probability of ovarian cancer was 90% higher among women with the highest levels of antibodies against chlamydia-EB compared to those with the lowest levels.

Researchers believe that pelvic inflammation may promote ovarian cancer and this study adds more data in support of the hypothesis. Researchers concluded that the damage may already be done if the infection has reached its chronic phase and speedy treatment is important.

(Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases 2003;187:1147-1152.)