Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis in the environment of soldiers from the Polish Special Forces.

Abstract

Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens. The aim of the study was to present the current occurrence of chlamydial infections among Polish soldiers, sexually-active men and women at reproductive age. The research involved 253 active duty soldiers from the Polish Special Forces, 237 men and 16 women aged 26-57, stationed in Warsaw between October - November 2016. The study participants were asked to fill a socio-demographic questionnaire and then subjected to diagnostic tests. These included a urine test for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA using the Real-Time PCR assay with fluorescently labeled markers and probes, complementary to plasmid DNA of the bacteria (DNA isolated from urine samples was used as matrix). Chlamydia trachomatis infection was detected in two male soldiers, non-commissioned officers, at mean age 40.5 years (total: 38.0 years); reporting sexual contacts with 2-3 partners in the last 12 months (total: 141 soldiers - 1 partner, 66 - 2-3 partners, 46 - >4 partners), with no UTI symptoms. Among all the study participants, of whom more than 40% reported sexual contacts with 2-4 or more partners within the last 12 months, only 0.8% were found to be infected. The low prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection can be associated with a regular or frequent use of STI prevention measures during casual sex, or having a single sexual partner.