SILENT UPPER GENITAL-TRACT CHLAMYDIAL INFECTION AND DISEASE IN WOMEN

To find what proportion of women with endocervical Chlamydia trachomat is infection had asymptomatic infection of the upper genital tract, 10 women with neither gonorrhoea nor signs, symptoms or a past history o f pelvic inflammatory disease were laparoscoped. Swabs from the fimbri ae and pouch of Douglas were tested for C, trachomatis by tissue cultu re, enzyme immunoassay, direct fluorescent antibody and polymerase cha in reaction techniques. Four of the women had an upper genital tract c hlamydial infection. Neither laparoscopic appearances, menstrual phase , interval since last intercourse, partner change nor other coincident al genital infection was associated with the upper genital tract sprea d. These findings suggest that careful investigation, immediate treatm ent and contact tracing are mandatory when asymptomatic endocervical c hlamydial infection is discovered.