INHIBITION OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS GROWTH IN ENDOMETRIAL CELLS BY COPPER: POSSIBLE RELEVANCE

There is agreement that the relative risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) increases among women who use the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). The role of Chlamydia in causing PID among IUD users is not clear. The present study demonstrates that Chlamvdia trachomatis growth can be inhibited in cultured human endometrial cells by copper ions at concentrations known to be released by the zzpper was produced with 10 IU_Dz. More than 98% inhibition and 10 M of copper. Both C. trachomatis serovar E and a lymphogranuloma venereum Chlamydia serovar L2 (LGV) were inhibited by the copper ions. Although the mechanism of the inhibition is not known, the continuous presence of the copper ions during and after adherence appeared to be necessary for maximal effect. If such inhibition occurs in vivo, it is possible that copper ions released from the copper-containing IUD may partially protect against chlamydial infection.