Serologic and Pcr Screening to Determine the Prevalence of in Patients With Vaginitis and Inespecific Vaginitis in Two Public Hospitals in Bogota.
Serologic and PCR screening to determine the prevalence of chlamydia trachomatis in patients with vaginitis and inespecific vaginitis in two public hospitals in Bogota: Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most important agents in the aetiology of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). In women CT causes cervicitis, urethritis and pelvic inflammatory disease. The objectives of this investigation were to determine the prevalence of chlamydial infection and the concordance of the diagnostic tests in patients with vaginitis and inespecific vaginitis who assist to two public hospitals of Bogota (Hospital Pablo VI de Bosa and Hospital del Sur), during June and July 2004. IgG, IgM and IgA in serum and PCR in urine samples were practiced in 180 patients. C. trachomatis antibodies detection was done by ELISA (VIRCEL) and DNA detection by AMPLICOR CT PCR (ROCHE) test. The prevalence of chlamydial infection was 31% (56 cases). The median age of women with recent or active infection was 23 years. 37 patients (66%) with positive results in at least one marker had active infection. DNA was not detected in urine samples in 24 patients (42.8 %) with active infection diagnosed by serologic criteria. PCR was positive in urine samples of 14 women (25 % of the patients with positive serologic tests). A prevalence of 31% in symptomatic women indicates a mayor public health problem.
It is necessary to implement a screening programme to detect the cases, as well as, to find the sexual contacts in order to reduce the burden of chlamydial infection.Aurine sample mixed with a cervical simple will be useful for the simultaneous diagnosis of cervicitis and urethritis.
