Trend in Chlamydia trachomatis infection among pregnant women in the past ten years in Japan - Significance of Chlamydia trachomatis seroprevalence

Background and Objectives: Chlamydia trachomatis infection is believed to b e the must common bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) in industria lized countries. The objective of the current study was to assess the recen t trend in the prevalence of C. trachomatis in Japan. Goal of this Study: To determine the trend in the seroprevalence for C, tra chomatis among pregnant women in Nagasaki, Japan, during the past 10 years. Study Design: The seroprevalence for C, trachomatis of 9,652 pregnant women of various ages screened in 1996 and 1997 was compared with those of 275 a nd 297 stocked samples from 1987 and 1992, respectively, Serum antibodies t o C. trachomatis were detected by the enzyme immunoassay, Prospective sampl es of 33 seropositive cases were also analyzed to determine kinetics of the serum antibody titer. Results: The seroprevalence has decreased in all age groups during the last 10 years. More than 70% of seropositive cases converted to be seronegative within 10 years. Conclusion The prevalence of C. trachomatis has been decreasing among Japan ese pregnant women.