Isolation of Chlamydia from women attending a clinic for sexually transmitted disease.

Cervical swabs for Chlamydia culture were collected from 638 unselected women attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic with a fresh complaint. Chlamydia were isolated from 76 (12 per cent.) of the women. When the results were related to the patients' diagnoses, Chlamydia were present in 44 per cent. of women with gonorrhoea and in 22 per cent. of women who were contacts of men with nonspecific urethritis (women who may be regarded as having non-specific genital infection). Chlamydia were uncommon in women with no evidence of genital infection. Significant correlations were found between the presence of Chlamydia and cervical erosion, cervical cytological inflammatory change, and absence of symptoms. Isolates were obtained more frequently from women with non-specific genital infection who were primary contacts than from women who were secondary contacts. These findings support the concept that Chlamydia are pathogens in the genital tract and are sexually transmitted.     

Vaginal oxytetracycline concentrations.

Although tetracycline preparations are widely used in departments of genitourinary medicine, or sexually transmitted diseases clinics, little is known of the concentrations of these preparations in genital secretions. For this reason a microbiological method was used for estimating oxytetracycline concentrations in vaginal secretions. These concentrations varied from 0.6 to 6.5 microgram/ml in 19 women who had had sexual contact with a man with non-specific urethritis and who were taking oxytetracycline dihydrate 250 mg four times daily. They were well in excess of the minimum inhibitory concentration of oxytetracycline (0.2 microgram/ml) for the strains of Chlamydia trachomatis isolated from the patients with positive culture results. Thus, oxytetracycline 250 mg four times daily appears to be a satisfactory regimen for the treatment of chlamydial genital infection in women.     

Vaginal oxytetracycline concentrations

Although tetracycline preparations are widely used in departments of genitourinary medicine, or sexually transmitted diseases clinics, little is known of the concentrations of these preparations in genital secretions. For this reason a microbiological method was used for estimating oxytetracycline concentrations in vaginal secretions. These concentrations varied from 0.6 to 6.5 microgram/ml in 19 women who had had sexual contact with a man with non-specific urethritis and who were taking oxytetracycline dihydrate 250 mg four times daily. They were well in excess of the minimum inhibitory concentration of oxytetracycline (0.2 microgram/ml) for the strains of Chlamydia trachomatis isolated from the patients with positive culture results. Thus, oxytetracycline 250 mg four times daily appears to be a satisfactory regimen for the treatment of chlamydial genital infection in women.     

The need for a chlamydial culture service.

In a prospective study of unselected, female patients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic one in eight patients would have been errouneously declared free of infection in the absence of a chlamydial culture service. Chlamydia trachomatis is now accepted as a causative organism of non-specific urethritis and post-gonococcal urethritis in men and non-specific genital infection in women. Thus, facilities for isolation of C. trachomatis should be an essential aid in the management of women attending STD clinics. Male patients would also benefit if such facilities were readily available.     

The need for a chlamydial culture service.

In a prospective study of unselected, female patients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic one in eight patients would have been errouneously declared free of infection in the absence of a chlamydial culture service. Chlamydia trachomatis is now accepted as a causative organism of non-specific urethritis and post-gonococcal urethritis in men and non-specific genital infection in women. Thus, facilities for isolation of C. trachomatis should be an essential aid in the management of women attending STD clinics. Male patients would also benefit if such facilities were readily available.     

Mucopurulent cervicitis: a clinical entity?

Of 297 women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic who were examined for the presence of mucopurulent cervicitis, 96 (32%) satisfied the diagnostic criteria. Mucopurulent cervicitis was strongly associated with the isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It was also associated with bacterial vaginosis, the use of oral contraceptives, and sexual contact with men who had non-gonococcal urethritis. Conversely, the presence of opaque cervical secretions did not show these associations, and the results indicated no difference in genital infections in women with clear cervical secretions whether or not more than 10 polymorphonuclear leucocytes per field (at a magnification of x 1000) were present. The findings support the suggestion that mucopurulent cervicitis is a definite clinical entity that requires investigation and treatment.     

Sexually transmitted diseases and tubal pregnancy

The risk of tubal pregnancy associated with seropositivity to Chlamydia trachomatis or following a diagnosis of gonorrhea, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, genital warts, or nonspecific vaginal infection was evaluated in a study of this condition among women who were members of a prepaid health plan. A total of 264 women who had a tubal pregnancy between 1981 and 1986 were interviewed about their history of these sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Their responses were compared to those of 715 women who were matched by age and county of residence but were otherwise randomly selected from the enrollment files of the health plan. Chlamydia antibody status was known in a sample of 135 cases and 192 controls. Although more cases reported a history of gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and non-specific vaginal infections than did controls, only a modestly elevated risk for trichomoniasis remained after logistic regression was used to adjust for the effects of age, reference year, race, presence of contraception at reference date, seropositivity to Chlamydia trachomatis, and a history of other STDs. By contrast, among women for whom Chlamydia trachomatis antibody status was assessed, presence of antibody was associated with a two-fold increase in the risk of tubal pregnancy after adjusting for the effects of the previously enumerated variables. These findings confirm the relevance of Chlamydia trachomatis as a risk factor for ectopic pregnancy, and they also underscore the importance of adjustment for the influence of other STDs when evaluating the association between a specific STD and the occurrence of tubal pregnancy.     

Managing women with human papillomavirus changes in cervical cytology.

Of 86 women with cervical cytological evidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection who underwent colposcopy, 55 yielded histological confirmation of HPV infection and 17 of them had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Of 51 women followed up six months after cryotherapy of their cervical lesions, 46 showed no evidence of HPV infection in their cervices. Of the patients with CIN lesions, only one out of the 16 followed up had persistent CIN II six months after treatment, which gave a clearance rate of 94% for early CIN lesions treated by this method. Of 62 sexual partners examined, 48 had sexually transmitted infections, 38 of them genital warts. The use of colposcopy with directed punch biopsy is a practical way of managing patients whose cervical smears suggest HPV infection. Cryotherapy is effective in treating histologically confirmed cervical HPV and associated minor CIN lesions. Contact tracing and screening for other sexually transmitted diseases is an integral part of managing genital warts.     

Prevalence of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections among high-risk patients attending a free anonymous HIV-screening center

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among patients attending an anonymous HIV Screening Center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study was performed in the HIV Screening Center of University hospital in Reims (France) from May 1997 to December 1997. The inclusion criteria were the asymptomatic clinical presentation and the presence of risk factors for sexually transmitted infections referring to WHO criteria. The methods included clinical examination after application of acetic acid and urethral and endocervical swabs to identify:Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Trichomonas vaginalis in specific culture. Treponema pallidum and HIV-1 infection were both detected by Enzym Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). RESULTS: One hundred and one patients (62 men and 39 women) were included in the study. Their mean age was 27 +/- 4 Years. Risk factors for sexually transmitted infections were: multiple sexual partners 81 p. 100; homo or bisexuality 16 p. 100; intravenous drug use 3 p. 100. The sexually transmitted infections were: HIV-1 infection 1 p. 100;Ureaplasma urealyticum 25 p. 100; genital warts 5 p. 100;Chlamydia trachomatis 3 p. 100; Gardnerella vaginalis 3 p. 100; Mycoplasma hominis 2 p. 100; Treponema pallidum 0 p. 100; Neisseria gonorrhoeae 0 p. 100; Trichomonas vaginalis 0 p. 100. The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections was significantly higher among women (p<0.05). DISCUSSION: Classical sexually transmitted infections and HIV infection were rarely detected in this study; but prevalence of other sexually transmitted infections (genital warts, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum) was high. Ureaplasma urealyticum is considered as a possible pathogenic agent in pregnant women (preterm delivery, decrease of birth weight, chorioamniotitis). These results suggest that other than sexually transmitted infections in high risk patients attending a HIV Screening Center other sexually transmitted infections should also be systematically screened for.     

Risky business: health and safety in the sex industry over a 9 year period

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether a previously established low sexually transmitted infection/HIV risk in prostitutes in London has been sustained, and to measure other occupational risks, including mortality. DESIGN: 9 year prospective study in west London. SUBJECTS: 402 prostitutes recruited from 1985 to 1991, 320 were followed up for 675 person years to 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Condom use in commercial and non-commercial sex; viral and bacterial sexually transmitted infection at initial and follow up visits; death. RESULTS: Condom use increased significantly from 1986 to 1993 and protected the majority of commercial sexual contacts. Baseline prevalence: HIV 1.3%, hepatitis C 6.7%, hepatitis B 6.6%, syphilis 2.3%, HTLV-I/II 0.4%, gonorrhoea 3.0%, chlamydia 8.2%, genital herpes 16.8%. Incidence (per 100 person years): HIV 0.2, hepatitis C 0.3, gonorrhoea 5.6, chlamydia 12.6, genital herpes 6.5. Viral infections were associated with injecting drug use and non-British nationality; bacterial infections were associated with numbers of non-commercial partners but not with sexual contacts at work. Four women died during the course of the study; two had AIDS, two were murdered. This mortality of 5.93 per 1000 person years was 12 times the expected rate for women of a similar age. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that it is possible to have a larger number of sexual partners and remain free from sexually transmitted infections provided that condoms are used consistently: there has been a sustained increase in condom use in the sex industry. None the less, prostitutes are at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, primarily through non-commercial sexual partnerships. Infectious diseases are only one of the risks facing prostitutes, as illustrated by the mortality from violence as well as from HIV infection.     

Epidemiology of genital chlamydial infections in patients with chlamydial conjunctivitis; a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how often chlamydial conjunctivitis is accompanied by a genital chlamydial infection and if there is a correlation between the dominant hand and the eye first infected. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the records of 65 patients with chlamydial conjunctivitis who were referred to the Outpatient Department of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) of the University Hospital Rotterdam by ophthalmologists of the Eye Hospital Rotterdam. The patients have recently been asked by letter if they were left- or right-handed. RESULTS: Twenty of the 37 men (54%) had a positive chlamydial urethral culture. Seventy per cent of these men had no genital symptoms. Eight of the 37 men (22%) had a non-specific urethritis (NSU). Twenty of the 27 women examined (74%) had a positive chlamydial cervical culture. Sixty per cent of these women had no genital symptoms. Eight women with a genital chlamydial infection also had another genital infection. Five women without a genital chlamydial infection had another genital infection. Two women had no genital infection at all. A correlation between the eye infected and left- or right-handedness of the patient could not be found. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable percentage of the patients with a chlamydial conjunctivitis had a concomitant genital chlamydial infection. The majority of them had no genital symptoms. Since patients with chlamydial conjunctivitis and/or their partners possibly have a concomitant genital chlamydial infection, we recommend referral of both patients and sexual partners to an STD clinic for routine examination and systemic treatment when indicated.     

Epidemiology of infection by serotypes D to K of chlamydia trachomatis.

Non-specific urethritis (NSU) is a sexually transmitted disease; 50% of cases are due to Chlamydia trachomatis, so that this is the commonest sexually transmitted infection in the developed world. Chlamydial infection is now readily diagnosable and the evidence increasingly suggests that it is underdiagnosed. Chlamydial conjunctivitis (in the newborn baby or the adult) in the developed world is a complication of sexually transmitted genital infection by C trachomatis and it indicates a large reservoir of such infections. Because of the association of sexually transmitted diseases, systemic treatment for such chlamydial conjunctivitis should not be given until full genital and serological investigators have been carried out. Chlamydial infection causes serious complications (that were formerly often thought to be gonococcal), such as epididymitis in young men and salpingitis on young women. It may cause local complications in the eye of the newborn baby and even pneumonia in babies and fatal endocarditis in adults. The diagnosis of NSU should lead to the correct treatment of the male patient and of his sexual partners. It is the promiscuous woman, who does not have a regular sexual partner to report back to her that he has NSU, who is at particular risk of undiagnosed chlamydial infection. Routine genital investigations for chlamydia are particularly indicated in her case. Following the parallel of gonorrhoea, it seems that the use of contact tracers may be an effective method for controlling chlamydial infection.     

Chlamydial infections of the urethra in women.

Cervical and endourethral swabs from 360 untreated women attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic were cultured for Chlamydia trachomatis and other genitourinary pathogens. The patients included contacts of men with non-gonococcal urethritis, women with gonorrhoea, and those in whom symptoms suggestive of urinary tract infection were the main reasons for their attendance. Chlamydial infection of the urethra was less common than, and seldom occurred in the absence of, cervical chlamydial infection; it was frequently silent, producing no signs or symptoms of urethritis. Only 33/96 women with evidence of urethritis gave chlamydia positive urethral swabs, and 14 of them had other concurrent infections of the genitourinary tract. Chlamydia trachomatis thus does not appear to be a major cause of the signs and symptoms of urethritis commonly found in women attending STD clinics, and there seems to be no indication for taking routine urethral swabs to aid in the diagnosis of chlamydial infection in women.     

Sexually transmitted infections in women who have sex with women

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of sexually transmitted infection (STIs) in a sample of women who have sex with women (WSW) and to identify risk factors for the acquisition of STI. METHOD: Cross sectional survey. Questionnaire for demographic, sexual history, and sexual practice data linked with the results of genitourinary examination. 708 new patients attending two sexual health clinics for lesbians and bisexual women in London were surveyed. RESULTS: A majority of WSW reported sexual histories with men (82%). Bacterial vaginosis and candida species were commonly diagnosed (31.4% and 18.4% respectively). Genital warts, genital herpes, and trichomoniasis were infrequently diagnosed (1.6%, 1.1%, and 1.3% respectively). Chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, and gonorrhoea infections were rare (0.6%, 0.3%, and 0.3% respectively) and diagnosed only in women who had histories of sex with men. CONCLUSIONS: Although we have demonstrated a low prevalence of STI, WSW may have sexual histories with men as well as women or histories of injecting drug use, and are therefore vulnerable to sexually transmitted or blood borne infections. Diagnosis of trichomoniasis, genital herpes, and genital warts in three women who had no history of sex with men implies that sexual transmission between women is possible.     

Sexually transmitted diseases in rape victims.

From 1 January 1986 to 1 September 1989 124 women presented to the Ambrose King Centre (the department of genitourinary medicine of the London Hospital) alleging rape. Sexually transmitted diseases were found in 36 (29%) women (excluding candidosis and bacterial vaginosis). The commonest organisms detected were Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis, each being present in 15 patients. Eleven women had genital warts. Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated in six patients, two had herpes simplex virus infection and one patient had pediculosis pubis. Serological evidence of past hepatitis B infection was detected in five women and one patient had antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus. Eighteen of the 36 women (50%) had multiple infections. Six women had abnormal cervical cytology smears, three being suggestive of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades II-III. Although it is rarely possible to attribute infection to an assailant, these patients require further counselling, treatment and review. Rape victims are thus a population at risk of having sexually transmitted diseases and screening should be offered.     

Isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis from women attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases.

Attempts were made to isolate Chlamydia trachomatis from the cervix of 300 women attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases in Leeds. The women were divided into four groups; (1) 130 were consorts of men suffering from non-specific urethritis; (2) 66 were suffering from gonorrhoea, or were consorts of men suffering from this disease; (3) 56 were suffering from other sexually transmitted diseases; (4) 48 had no evidence of STD. The overall isolation rate of Chlamydia trachomatis was 20%. Positive results were obtained in 30%. of Group 1, in 27-3%. of Group 2, in 3-6%. of Group 3, and in 2-1%. of Group 4. No pathogenic sign or symptom of Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the cervix was detected.     

Frequent douching and clinical outcomes among HIV-infected women

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of douching among a cohort of HIV-infected women and to examine clinical outcomes associated with frequent douching-namely bacterial vaginosis, presence of a sexually-transmitted infections, and genital tract HIV-1 RNA shedding. STUDY DESIGN: Participants included a concurrent cohort of 187 women attending an HIV outpatient clinic in New Orleans, LA. Subjects underwent clinical examinations and answered questions in a computer-assisted survey at each visit. RESULTS: At baseline, 1-, and 3-month follow-ups, 64.2%, 56.5%, and 54.7% of women, respectively, indicated that they douched. In multivariable analyses, douching >1 time a month was independently associated with the outcomes of bacterial vaginosis and presence of a selected sexually transmitted infection (Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhea, or Chlamydia trachomatis). Although not significant, women who douched >1 time a month were also twice as likely to have genital tract HIV-1 RNA shedding as nondouchers. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study performed in women infected with HIV to link a significant dose-response relationship between douching and the clinical outcomes of bacterial vaginosis and presence of a sexually transmitted infection, and to examine the association between douching and genital tract HIV-1 RNA shedding.     

Problem-orientated categorisation of "other conditions" seen in a genitourinary medicine clinic

The case sheets of patients coded as D2 (other conditions requiring treatment) and D3 (other conditions not requiring treatment) in 1981 were reclassified on a problem-orientated basis. Ten discreet categories were delineated with ease. Women with non-specific vaginitis and men with Gardnerella vaginalis urogenital infection, usually coded D2 or C4, should be reclassified under the C group of conditions as, for example, "Gardnerella or other bacterial genital infections." It is suggested that codes D2 and D3 be replaced by the following nine categories: genital skin lesions or rashes; genitourinary symptoms; enteric conditions; other sexually transmitted infections; normal genital architecture, congenital conditions, or unconfirmed genital discharges; asymptomatic patients attending for routine examination; uninfected contacts of patients with sexually transmitted diseases; psychosexual problems; and others.     

Problem-orientated categorisation of "other conditions" seen in a genitourinary medicine clinic.

The case sheets of patients coded as D2 (other conditions requiring treatment) and D3 (other conditions not requiring treatment) in 1981 were reclassified on a problem-orientated basis. Ten discreet categories were delineated with ease. Women with non-specific vaginitis and men with Gardnerella vaginalis urogenital infection, usually coded D2 or C4, should be reclassified under the C group of conditions as, for example, "Gardnerella or other bacterial genital infections." It is suggested that codes D2 and D3 be replaced by the following nine categories: genital skin lesions or rashes; genitourinary symptoms; enteric conditions; other sexually transmitted infections; normal genital architecture, congenital conditions, or unconfirmed genital discharges; asymptomatic patients attending for routine examination; uninfected contacts of patients with sexually transmitted diseases; psychosexual problems; and others.     

Prevalence of sexually transmitted disease infection in women alleging rape.

During a 2-year period ending in October, 1989, 110 women who claimed to have been raped were treated at the sexually transmitted disease clinic at Birmingham General Hospital. A total of 22 sexually transmitted infections were found in 14 (13%) women, of which Chlamydia trachomatis (in 8%) and Trichomonas vaginalis (in 6%) were the most frequently found pathogens. In none of these patients was it possible to determine whether infection resulted from rape or from voluntary intercourse with another person. The high prevalence of infection found in this study and in previous studies indicates that all women alleging rape should be investigated at a sexually transmitted disease clinic.