possible autoimmune response to chlamydia

scubachick33

0 Posts
Reply possible autoimmune response to chlamydia Posted on: May 17, 2011 at 4:44pm
Hi Dr. Braverman, Thanks so much for operating this forum and sharing your expertise!

As a patient I have been through 17 IVF transfers to date, including the most recent three transfers with donor eggs, with only two clinical pregnancies (my own eggs) and many implantation failures. Both pregnancies were ectopic, and resulted in salpingectomies (during which stage 2 endometriosis was encountered). Thorough testing for possible causes of my infertility- including all inherited and acquired thrombophilia panels and the millenova lab immunological panel- yielded normal results until I asked my doctor earlier this year for a chlamydia antibody IgG panel (despite repeated negative cultures), which was positive. I now believe that a previously undiagnosed (and likely several years old) chlamydia infection was the cause of my two ectopic pregnancies, and may possibly explain my repeated implantation failures with even perfectly lovely donor eggs from a proven young donor, due to suspected autoimmunity to human heat shock protein 60 (which is heavily involved with embryo implantation, but which looks an awful lot like chlamydia hsp60).

The issue now, of course, is how to move forward with treatment. I did a full course of antibiotics (metronidazole, azithromycin, and doxycycline) in an attempt to address any persistent chlamydia infection. In addition, I tried low dose aspirin and prednisone with the latest frozen embryo transfer, beginning the steroids a week before transfer, but the cycle was negative. I realize we can't say anything with certainty after just one transfer, if indeed an autoimmune response to chlamydia is at the root of the problem. I am running out of ideas, and certainly welcome any opinions you may have.

Thanks very much, D.

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
Re: possible autoimmune response to chlamydia Posted on: May 18, 2011 at 9:50pm
Very imprressed with your research, in addition prolonged chlamydia infection can keep some of the immune cells in the activated state for quite some time. I would want to see the millenova testing and all else that youve had done.(Im sure there is we can do more in depth testing) If you've already treated with antibiotics there are other protocols I would try with you including our neupogen protocol which has had success with as many as 18 previous IVF failures.
Please give our office a call and ask for Kim she will be happy to schedule a consultation with me. I can review all your records at that time , order any additonal tests , then decide on the best treatment. You are not out of options at all.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.

scubachick33

0 Posts
Reply Re: possible autoimmune response to chlamydia Posted on: May 19, 2011 at 2:55pm
Thanks, Dr Braverman, I'll call today to schedule a consult.

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
Re: possible autoimmune response to chlamydia Posted on: May 20, 2011 at 3:56am
speak to you soon.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.