THE ROLE OF CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS IN URETHRITIS AND URETHRAL SYMPTOMSIN WOMEN

Citation
Pj. Horner et al., THE ROLE OF CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS IN URETHRITIS AND URETHRAL SYMPTOMSIN WOMEN, International journal of STD & AIDS, 6(1), 1995, pp. 31-34
Citations number
NO
Categorie Soggetti
Immunology,"Infectious Diseases
ISSN journal
09564624
Volume
6
Issue
1
Year of publication
1995
Pages
31 - 34
Database
ISI
SICI code
0956-4624(1995)6:1<31:TROCIU>2.0.ZU;2-T
Abstract
One hundred and fifty women who attended a genitourinary medicine clin ic and who required a speculum examination were investigated to determ ine the association between Chlamydia trachomatis and urethral symptom s and signs. Those who had taken antibiotics with anti-chlamydial acti vity within 3 months or those who were menstruating, pregnant or using an intrauterine contraceptive device were excluded. C. trachomatis in fection of the urethra, or infection of the urethra and cenix together , combined with each separately, were strongly associated with > = 5 p olymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes per high-power field (x 1000) in a G ramstained urethral smear (P < 0.00005 and P < 0.0005, respectively). This appeared not to arise from leucocyte contamination from the lower genital tract. However, C. trachomatis infection of the urethra was n ot associated with symptoms of dysuria or frequency. In conclusion, it seems likely that C. trachomatis infection of the urethra in women pr obably causes urethritis which is usually asymptomatic. Women who have objective evidence of urethritis might best be managed by appropriate antibiotic therapy and counselling, and advice that partners should a ttend for review.