The incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis-induced infection in women suffering from cervicovaginitis
Pungetti, D.; Calderara, M.A.; Panozzo, M.; Pignataro, R.; Selleri, M.C.; Travisani, D.; Cantiero, D.; Mazzoli, F.; Maurizio, G.; Zanardi, E.
Acta Europaea Fertilitatis 19(2): 93-97
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0587-2421 PMID: 3066089 Document Number: 362518
Physicians examined 173 sexually active, non pregnant women suffering from lower genitalia inflammation. They responded to questions pertaining to their past and recent obstetric/gynecological history, to their partner's possible urogenital inflammations, the age of 1st intercourse, number of partners, and contraceptive use. 27.2% of the patients tested positive using immunoenzymatic techniques for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). No specific symptoms of CT were observed. A correlation exists between early sexual intercourse and a large number of partners and a greater incidence of CT infections. Almost 98% of all CT positive patients reported 1st sexual intercourse between 16 and 21 years. Antibody positivity ranged from 33% (1st intercourse before 15 years) to 24% (1st intercourse between 16-21 years) and decreased to 5.89% when 1st intercourse occurred 21 years. In addition, CT positive patients had many partners. A greater positivity in the cervix occurred in those using oral contraceptives, however. On the other hand, no positivity was noted for those who used IUDs. Those women who used several contraceptives, such as oral contraceptives, IUD, and barrier methods, had a higher incidence of CT positivity (53.2%) than other groups. Perhaps this is due to clinical cervicovaginitis symptoms prompting the women to change techniques. Specific colposcopy patterns and cytological alterations which some physicians believe indicate CT infections did not identify patients with Chlamydia. These data suggest that it is impossible to make a diagnosis based on symptoms, past sexual history, and contraceptive use. Therefore the data indicate that immunoenzymatic tests are needed.