ASYMPTOMATIC SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASE PREVALENCE IN 4 MILITARY POPULATIONS - APPLICATION OF DNA AMPLIFICATION ASSAYS FOR CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHEA SCREENING

The prevalence of asymptomatic chlamydial and gonococcal infections in male and female military populations was determined using urine-based ligase chain reaction DNA amplification assays (DAAs). Cross-sectiona l surveys in four military settings revealed an overall prevalence of asymptomatic chlamydial infection of 4.2% (56/1338), This included 3.4 % (21/618) of Western Pacific shipboard US Marine Corps enlisted men; 5.2% (21/406) of male marines shore-based in Okinawa, Japan; 2.7% (5/1 83) of female enlisted US Navy subtender personnel in dry dock; and 6. 9% (9/131) of shore-based female naval personnel in San Die,oo. No gon ococcal infections were detected. All subjects were treated within 2 w eeks of screening; none of them had progressed to symptomatic disease. General population-based screening for asymptomatic sexually transmit ted diseases, and in particular chlamydial infection, can be successfu lly implemented using urine-based DAA tests. Benefits are maximized in a population in which compliance for follow-up therapy is high.