SERO - PREVALENCE OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS IN STI PATIENTS

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Chlamydial infections, if undiagnosed and untreated can result in irreversible sequelae.Infected patients serve as a reservoir of infection to their partners.The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of genital Chlamydia and its association with bacterial flora in STI patients attending STI clinics.METHOD: Genital discharge specimens (Endocervical, Vaginal) and Blood from 226 patients were collected as per standard procedures.Isolation and Identification of bacterial flora was carried out by conventional methods.Patients were investigated for the presence of antigen and antibody of chlamydia trachomatis with Immunochromatographic assay (Biomerieux) and ELISA (Novatech, Germany) respectively.RESULTS: Of 226 patients, 'Inclusion bodies' were found in 69/226 (30.53%) patients by Giemsa staining.Chlamydia trachomatis was found to be most commonly associated with Candida albicans (29.41%).Of 180 samples, 102/180 (55.66%) were positive for IgG by ELISA.Of 50 samples, 07/50 (14%) were positive for Chlamydia trachomatis antigen by immunochromatographic assay.Results of both the test were evaluated.CONCLUSION: Though tissue culture is gold standard, serological assays are much simpler, sensitive and rapid methods for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis.Co-infection of Chlamydia with other STIs highlights the importance of early laboratory diagnosis and specific treatment.