GENITAL CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS (SEROTYPES D-K) INFECTION IN JAMAICAN COMMERCIAL STREET SEX WORKERS

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomat is infections in commercial street sex workers (CSSW) in Jamaica. Meth ods: The prevalence of C trachomatis infection was determined in 129 J amaican CSSW using the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) method and th e isolation techniques which utilise fluorescent and iodine staining o f endocervical cytobrush specimens cultured in McCoy cells. The seropr evalence of C trachomatis in the CSSW was also compared with that in b lood donors (n = 435), using the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test. R esults: The DFA detected C trachomatis in 16% (21/129) of the specimen s. The prevalence as determined by the iodine and fluorescein stained cultures was 24% (31/129) and 25% (33/129) respectively. The overall p revalence of current chlamydial infection detected by the isolation te chniques used was 25% (33/129). As determined by the MIF test, a stati stically significantly higher seroprevalence rate of C trachomatis (95 %, 61/64) was found in CSSW compared with blood donors (53%, 229/435; OR 22.6; chi(2) = 49.8; p < 0.001). The prevalence of current infectio n in CSSW as indicated by the isolation of C trachomatis was not influ enced by history of previous pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), sexual ly transmitted disease, or condom use. N gonorrhoeae (9%) and Candida albicans (7%) were found in comparatively low frequencies, while Trich omonas vaginalis (0%) was not found in specimens from the CSSW. Conclu sions: A high seroprevalence rate and a high rate of current infection with C trachomatis occur in Jamaican CSSW. In order to control the sp read and prevent the severe clinical complications and sequelae of C t rachomatis infection, the diagnosis and treatment in such high risk gr oups such as CSSW should be optimised.