MARKERS OF SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN SEMINAL FLUID OF MALE CLIENTS OF FEMALE SEX WORKERS

Objectives: To screen for certain STD markers in a group of male clien ts of female sex workers. Method: Condoms with seminal fluid were coll ected at 10 ''massage parlours'' in Copenhagen. The seminal fluid samp les were examined for HIV antibodies, markers of hepatitis B virus (HB V), Chlamydia trachomatis, and Mycoplasma genitalium. Results: All sam ples (n = 332) were negative for HIV antibodies. Out of 327 samples ex amined for HBV markers 32 (9.8%) were positive for HBV core antibodies , one of which was also positive for HBV antigen. C trachomatis could be demonstrated in six out of 122 (4.9%) samples and M genitalium in o ne out of 122 samples. Conclusions: The finding of a C trachomatis pre valence of 4.9% is considerable higher than expected in men with a pre sumed age of 35-55 years. The demonstration of a prevalence of HBV mar kers of 9.8% indicates that these clients have an increased risk of HB V infection, a finding that further consolidates the recommendation of HBV vaccination of sex workers. As shown in this study, STD transmiss ion in commercial sex may also have the client as the source.