Prevalence, epidemiological and clinical correlates of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of genital infection with Chlamydia tr achomatis in different groups of patients in the region of Plovdiv, Bulgari a, over a period of four years (1992-1995) and to establish epidemiological and clinical correlates of infection. Material and methods Five groups were enrolled in the study: group A - 990 symptomatic male sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients, group B - 102 3 symptomatic female STD patients, group C - 253 gynaecological patients, a nd asymptomatic groups D - 276 men and group E - 231 women. Urethral sample s from men and cervical and urethral samples from women were examined for C . trachomatis antigen by direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) or enzyme im munoassay (EIA) confirmed by DFA at the STD outpatient clinic of the Medica l institute in Plovdiv. Results The prevalence rates for genital infection with Chlamydia trachomat is were 25.1% in group A, 21.8% in group B, 15.4% in group C, 4.3% in group D and 6.1% in group E. Infection with C. trachomatis was more common in pa tients who were less than or equal to 25 years of age, unmarried, and with risk sexual behaviour, as well as in those who had signs and symptoms sugge stive of infection. Conclusion The study shows a relatively high prevalence of infection with C . trachomatis in STD and gynaecological patients. Symptoms and signs correl ated with C. trachomatis infection, but were not specific or reliable indic ators of infection, C. trachomatis detection should be included in standard STD and gynaecological examination. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.