Female Chlamydia Research Articles

Glycogen assay for diagnosis of female genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Chlamydia trachomatis can synthesize glycogen at various stages in its developmental cycle. The glycogen content of female genital epithelial cells was detected by anthrone, and the results were compared with those from PCR. A total of 320 cervical samples were examined. Of 92 specimens that were positive by PCR, 78 were positive and 14 were negative by the glycogen assay. Of 228 specimens that were negative by PCR, 220 were negative and 8 were positive by the glycogen assay. The sensitivity and specificity of the glycogen assay obtained from these data were 84.8% (78 of 92) and 96.5% (220 of 228), respectively. Use of the glycogen assay to detect the glycogen content in genital epithelial cells may be helpful in the diagnosis of C. trachomatis infection. This is an easy, fast, and inexpensive assay and can be done in less-sophisticated labs.

Epidemiologic and Microbiologic Correlates of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Sexual Partnerships

To determine the frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection within sexual partnerships using highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and to identify the variables that might modify transmission. Cross-sectional study of sexual partnerships comparing in vitro culture and PCR amplification for C trachomatis. Two outpatient sexually transmitted disease clinics. Four hundred ninety-four people in sexual partnerships attending sexually transmitted disease clinics. Genital infection with C trachomatis. DNA sequencing was performed to examine specific genotypes within and between partnerships. Cross-sectional analysis was performed to determine characteristics associated with concordance or discordance of infection with partnerships. Cultures were positive for C trachomatis in 8.5% of males and 12.9% of females (P=.03). Using PCR, more infections were identified both in males (14.2%) and in females (15.8%), and the difference in infection rates analyzed by sex was no longer significant. In 20.4% of 494 couples, at least 1 partner had PCR results positive for C trachomatis, with a concordant infection rate of 10.7%, significantly higher than the 5.5% concordant infection rate demonstrable by culture (P<.01). Male-female and female-male transmission frequencies were equal (68%). The nucleotide sequences of the major outer membrane protein gene products were identical and unique for each of 15 culture-negative, PCR-positive concordant partnerships. In concordant infections, factors associated with infection in female partners were age less than 20 years, more than 1 partner in the past 6 months, and cervical ectopy greater than 25%. Using PCR, the frequency of chlamydia transmission by infected males and females was nearly identical. The high rate of concordant infection, high frequency of infection among asymptomatic individuals, and high frequency of transmission regardless of sex underscore the importance of routine screening for chlamydia in both males and females, along with provision of treatment to all sexual partners of chlamydia-infected individuals.

Epidemiologic and microbiologic correlates of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in sexual partnerships

Objective. —To determine the frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection within sexual partnerships using highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and to identify the variables that might modify transmission. Design. —Cross-sectional study of sexual partnerships comparing in vitro culture and PCR amplification for C trachomatis . Setting. —Two outpatient sexually transmitted disease clinics. Participants. —Four hundred ninety-four people in sexual partnerships attending sexually transmitted disease clinics. Main Outcome Measure. —Genital infection with C trachomatis. Methods. —DNA sequencing was performed to examine specific genotypes within and between partnerships. Cross-sectional analysis was performed to determine characteristics associated with concordance or discordance of infection with partnerships. Results. —Cultures were positive for C trachomatis in 8.5% of males and 12.9% of females ( P =.03). Using PCR, more infections were identified both in males (14.2%) and in females (15.8%), and the difference in infection rates analyzed by sex was no longer significant. In 20.4% of 494 couples, at least 1 partner had PCR results positive for C trachomatis , with a concordant infection rate of 10.7%, significantly higher than the 5.5% concordant infection rate demonstrable by culture ( P Conclusions. —Using PCR, the frequency of chlamydia transmission by infected males and females was nearly identical. The high rate of concordant infection, high frequency of infection among asymptomatic individuals, and high frequency of transmission regardless of sex underscore the importance of routine screening for chlamydia in both males and females, along with provision of treatment to all sexual partners of chlamydia-infected individuals.

PCR-based urine screening for chlamydia in females: Utility in an urban adolescent clinic setting

PCR-based urine screening for chlamydia in females: Utility in an urban adolescent clinic setting

Factors associated with the geographic variation of reported Chlamydia infection in Minnesota.

In Minnesota, physicians have been required to report cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection since 1985. The distribution of reported cases suggests that there is substantial geographic variation in the rate of chlamydia infection. We conducted chlamydia screening at selected sites and a survey of primary care physicians in counties with high and low rates of reported chlamydia infection. We hypothesized that chlamydia infections are uniformly distributed in nonmetropolitan areas, and the geographic differences in reported cases can be attributed to variable testing and reporting practices by physicians. The number of reported female chlamydia cases per 1,000 women was calculated for each rural Minnesota county in 1990. Fourteen counties with high and low rates of reporting were selected for further investigation. From September to December 1991, universal chlamydia screening was carried out at 11 clinics serving patients in these counties. A questionnaire was mailed to all primary care physicians in these counties. In 1990, the rate of reported chlamydia cases was 4.7/100,000 and 0.1/100,000 for women living in the high-reporting and low-reporting counties, respectively. Chlamydia infection was present in 5.5% and 9.7% of women screened at selected clinics in high- and low-reporting counties, respectively. Physicians in high- and low-reporting counties did not differ significantly in terms of age, gender, number of pelvic exams, or frequency of chlamydia testing. However, physicians in high-reporting counties were significantly more likely to test for chlamydia when evaluating mucopurulent cervicitis or salpingitis, and they were more likely to test a woman whose sex partner had urethritis. Physicians in high-reporting counties were also more likely to have reported a case of chlamydia.

Evaluation of Surveillance for Chlamydia trachomatis Infections in the United States, 1987 to 1991

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in the United States; however, no precise data on the prevalence and incidence of chlamydia infection are available because currently no comprehensive national surveillance system exists for chlamydia. Despite the absence of such a system, states do report numbers of male and female chlamydia cases to CDC on a quarterly basis.This report summarizes and reviews the chlamydia surveillance data received by CDC from 1987 through 1991.Summary data on cases of chlamydia reported to state health departments were sent quarterly to CDC in Atlanta, Georgia. The quarterly data from each state included total number of chlamydia cases by sex and by source of report (public, private).From 1987 through 1991, the number of states with legislation mandating reporting of chlamydia increased twofold. The reported chlamydia rate from those states also doubled during the same time period, from 91.4 cases per 100,000 population in 1987 to 197.5 cases per 100,000 population in 1991.This twofold increase in the rate of chlamydia reported to CDC did not represent a doubling in chlamydia prevalence or incidence during this time period. Instead, the increase resulted from the increase in the number of states with reporting laws and from the initial attempts of those states to identify and report diagnosed chlamydia infections.More accurate measures of the number of chlamydia infections and of trends in the chlamydia infection rate are needed to justify, develop, and evaluate public health programs to control chlamydia infections. An outline of possible surveillance activities for local communities is presented.

Release of lamellar bodies from alveolar type 2 cells.

The release of lamellar bodies from rat alveolar type 2 cells has been studied during a 12hr dark/12hr light cycle. A proportion of the type 2 cell population was ultrastructurally abnormal. The cellular changes formed a spectrum raninging from mild to severe, culminating in rupture of the cell and release of its contents into the alveolar air space. The majority of aberrant cells were observed in animals killed during the dark period. A holocrine secretory mechanism is suggested for the release of lamellar bodies containing the surface active phospholipids of the alveolar lining. The release of lamellar material by a process of exocytosis was also observed, but only rarely, in spite of the numerous lamellar bodies seen in each cell cross-section.