A 22-year-old woman presents with lower abdominal pain, feve…

A 22-year-old woman presents with lower abdominal pain, fever, and purulent cervical discharge. She reported unprotected intercourse with a new partner 2 weeks ago. On exam, cervical motion tenderness is noted. Pelvic inflammatory disease is suspected. Which pathophysiologic process most contributes to her risk of future infertility?