Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women seen at the lower genital tract pathology clinic, Jundiaí School of Medicine, Brazil.

Abstract

To estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in a population with a high risk of sexually transmitted diseases and to compare data of the literature and the relationship of infection with the presence of human papilloma virus induced lesions. A total of 28 hybrid capture tests for C. trachomatis were collected from patients referred to the Municipal Health Division of the city of Jundiaí (SP) for the lower genital tract pathology. The results were compared with findings in the literature, and with the test results from a general population of the city of Jundiaí. Of the 28 tests, 3 (10.7%) were positive. We did not find a positive association between C. trachomatis infection and the presence or aggravation of intraepithelial cervical cancer. Our findings showed a high prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in the population studied, but no association with human papilloma virus infection. Because the number of patients assessed was small, it is difficult to generalize from our findings. We suggest there is a need to expand screening programs for C. trachomatis, mainly in symptomatic patients and in those patients with cervical changes.