Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine

The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine (대한생식의학회)
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Prevalence and confounders of chronic endometritis diagnosed using CD138 in patients with recurrent implantation failure

  • Hye Jeong Hue (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) ;
  • Hyunji Choi (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) ;
  • Hyun Kyoung Lee (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) ;
  • Jung Ryeol Lee (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) ;
  • Byung Chul Jee (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) ;
  • Chang Woo Choo (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul Maria Fertility Hospital) ;
  • Seul Ki Kim (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital)
  • Received : 2023.06.01
  • Accepted : 2023.11.09
  • Published : 2024.06.30
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Abstract

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the prevalence of chronic endometritis, diagnosed using CD138 immunohistochemistry, among infertile women and to assess the association between chronic endometritis and recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Methods: In total, 266 patients who underwent hysteroscopy due to infertility between 2019 and 2020 were included in the analysis. Of these, 136 patients with RIF and 130 non-RIF patients were included in the study. CD138 immunohistochemistry test results, blood biomarkers (including natural killer cells, white blood cells, and the lymphocyte-to-neutrophil ratio), and data on pregnancy outcomes were obtained. If the CD138 test yielded a positive result, the patients received antibiotic treatment. Results: The overall proportion of CD138-positive patients was 32.7% (87/266). The CD138 positivity rate was not related to the number of cycles with implantation failure. In the RIF patient group, no significant associations were found between CD138 positivity and peripheral blood markers. The clinical pregnancy rates were similar between infertile women treated with antibiotics for chronic endometritis and those without chronic endometritis. Conclusion: To improve the pregnancy rate in infertile patients, it may be helpful to combine CD138 testing with other laboratory tests and administer antibiotic treatment if the result is positive.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

All authors thank the patients and staff of the Seoul Maria Fertility Hospital for their contribution.

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