Cross-reactivity between Chlamydia trachomatis heat shock protein 10 and early pregnancy factor.

ABSTRACT: Chlamydia trachomatis heat shock protein 10 (Chsp10) is associated with chronic genital tract infection with C. trachomatis. Chsp10 is homologous to human chaperonin 10 (Cpn10) and early pregnancy factor (EPF), a form of human Cpn10 that is specifically secreted at the start of pregnancy. We investigated cross-reactions between serum anti-Chsp10 antibodies and anti-EPF antibodies in pregnant and nonpregnant patients. Pregnancy was found to be associated with the presence of anti-EPF antibodies, which are specifically induced in pregnant women with a history of C. trachomatis infection, and with the presence of serum anti-Chsp10 antibodies. We also found that infertility was associated with the presence of anti-Chsp10 and anti-EPF antibodies. The HLA class II haplotype DR8 DQ4 was associate

SUBMITTER: Betsou F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC154954 | biostudies-literature | 2003 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature