Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in women seeking termination of pregnancy
Lee, S.T.; Chaudhuri, P.; Tay, B.L.
Singapore Medical Journal 32(1): 31-33
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-5675 PMID: 2017702 Document Number: 377041
Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections were quantitated in 50 consecutive abortion clients at the Toa Payoh Hospital in Singapore. The patients were 15-28 years old, mean 21.5 years, unmarried, and all in 1st trimester except 1, all treated by dilatation and vacuum aspiration. Chlamydia, demonstrated by culture, occurred in 14% of the series, while gonorrhea was detected in none. 71% of the cases were Chinese, 1 was a Malay, and 1 a Filipina. While follow-up was scheduled at 6 weeks, 42% defaulted. 1 patient developed post-abortal pelvic inflammatory disease. Thus chlamydia is a more serious problem in this population than gonorrhea. Whether to screen for chlamydia in all abortion candidates in problematical, since viral culture is very expensive, but simpler screening tests are not as sensitive.