ESTIMATING THE BASIC REPRODUCTIVE RATES OF NEISSERIA-GONORRHOEAE AND CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS - THE IMPLICATIONS OF ACQUIRED-IMMUNITY

Background and Objectives: The basic reproductive rate of an STD is an important parameter from which the success of intervention strategies can be predicted. Goal of the Study: To evaluate different methods to estimate the basic reproductive rate. Results: Two different methods of estimating the basic reproductive rates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae an d Chlamydia trachomatis yielded discrepant results. One of the methods , which is based on the assumption of the absence of acquired immunity ,yielded unrealistically low estimates of the basic reproductive rates .Conclusion: In conjunction with other epidemiologic evidence, we infe r that some form of acquired immunity to these pathogens must exist an d discuss its: implication for control.