Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a low-risk population in Hungary.

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of nongonococcal urethritis and cervicitis in women. Because of the recent increases in the numbers of new cases and severe consequences, there is an urgent demand for the introduction of sensitive and specific rapid diagnostic methods. A multicenter examination involving seven centers was sponsored by the Hungarian Ministry of Health and Welfare in order to provide a survey of Chlamydia trachomatis in the gravid population. 6,161 women were tested between 1994 to 1995. The seven centers were selected with regard to different aspects, from developed and less developed areas in the capital, two large provincial towns, and various other provincial regions reflecting either an industrial or an agricultural background. The nucleic acid hybridization method (PACE 2 Gen-Probe, San Diego, CA) was introduced in this low-risk population for the examination of Chlamydia trachomatis. In one center, a further two methods, antigen detection by ELISA (SYVA, CA) and cultivation on the McCoy cell line (staining with SYVA FITC-labeled antichlamydia monoclonal antibody), were applied. International surveys and experience indicate that the proportion of the population threatened by Chlamydia trachomatis is above 10%. The overall average incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis cases in this low-risk gravid population was 5.74%. The data from the different centers ranged between 1.6% and 9.7%. The chlamydia-infected Hungarian gravid population is below the critical 10%, but there is one Hungarian county where the value is close to 10%. In this provincial, industrial area, the number of unmarried and divorced gravida in a low economic situation is disproportionately high. For this disadvantaged population, permanent Chlamydia trachomatis screening was suggested. In the other centers, screening of pregnant women for Chlamydia trachomatis and the treatment of positive cases and their partners were suggested for pathological gravida with preterm labor and preterm rupture of the membranes.