Chlamydia trachomatisandMycoplasma genitaliumPlasma Antibodies in Relation to Epithelial Ovarian Tumors

Objective . To assess associations of Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium antibodies with epithelial ovarian tumors. Methods . Plasma samples from 291 women, undergoing surgery due to suspected ovarian pathology, were analyzed with respect to C. trachomatis IgG and IgA, chlamydial Heat Shock Protein 60-1 (cHSP60-1) IgG and M. genitalium IgG antibodies. Women with borderline tumors ( n = 12), ovarian carcinoma ( n = 45), or other pelvic malignancies ( n = 11) were matched to four healthy controls each. Results . Overall, there were no associations of antibodies with EOC. However, chlamydial HSP60-1 IgG antibodies were associated with type II ovarian cancer ( P = .002) in women with plasma samples obtained >1 year prior to diagnosis ( n = 7). M. genitalium IgG antibodies were associated with borderline ovarian tumors ( P = .01). Conclusion . Chlamydial HSP60-1 IgG and M. genitalium IgG antibodies are in this study associated with epithelial ovarian tumors in some subsets, which support the hypothesis linking upper-genital tract infections and ovarian tumor development.