Neonatal Cord blood samples
Cord blood were obtained from neonates of the mothers who were positive for CT infection for assessment of trans-placental transmission having obtained informed consent from the mothers.
Cord blood were obtained from one hundred and twelve (112) neonates of CT DNA positive mothers at birth by observing the necessary precautions described by White et al (13). The samples were collected directly from one of the arteries of the cord using a 3 ml disposable syringe (27/5 needle) to obtain about 1 ml of fetal blood. The collection was performed after clamping the cord and complete delivery of the placenta and fetal membranes. The fetal blood was dispensed into a tube with EDTA and stored at - 20°C, until the CT DNA was extracted.
The PCR technique was applied for both maternal cervical specimens and neonatal cord blood as described by Schmidt et al (3).