Chlamydia trachomatisInfection in HIV-Infected Women: Need for Screening by a Sensitive and Specific Test

Sonali Bhattar,Kabir Sardana,Ravinder Kaur,Sanjim Chadha,Reva Tripathi,Preena Bhalla

doi:10.1155/2013/960769

Sonali Bhattar, Kabir Sardana + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/960769

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Abstract

Reproductive tract infection (RTIs)/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are recognized as a major public health problem, particularly due to their relationship with HIV infection. Early detection and treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection (CTI) among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women may impact heterosexual HIV transmission. A total of 120 participants were enrolled: 30 HIV seropositive women with symptoms of RTIs, 30 HIV seropositive women without symptoms of RTIs, 30 HIV seronegative women with symptoms of RTIs, and 30 HIV seronegative women without symptoms of RTIs. One endocervical swab was collected from all participants and CTI was detected by real-time PCR (COBAS TaqMan CT Test, v2.0). CTI was detected in 4 (6.67%) HIV-infected women and in 1 (1.67%) HIV-uninfected woman (OR 4.214; 95% CI 0.457–38.865). Vaginal discharge was present in almost half of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women; lower abdominal pain was present in 11 (18.3%) of HIV-infected and in 9 (15%) of HIV-uninfected women. This study showed that CTI is more prevalent among HIV-infected females as compared to HIV-uninfected females. As the use of real-time PCR is not feasible in most hospitals, efforts should be made to develop a simple, sensitive, and specific test to identify women with CTI for prevention of sequelae and HIV transmission.

Highlights

Genital infection due to Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [1]
All the study subjects were enrolled from the Integrated Counseling and Testing Center (ICTC) for HIV/AIDS, Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, which is attached to the Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi
One endocervical swab was collected from all participants according to the instructions provided in the specimen collection and transport kit (AMPLICOR sexually transmitted disease (STD) swab collection and transport set) for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by real-time PCR

Summary

Introduction

Genital infection due to Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [1]. The available Indian data show a wide variation in CT prevalence with infection rates in Indian women ranging from 3.3% to 33% depending on the population sampled [4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. Infection with this agent is usually asymptomatic in up to 80% of women which makes diagnosis and detection all the more difficult. In the developing countries with the exception of sporadic testing, screening for Chlamydia is rarely done

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