title: Chlamydial infections in selected populations in Jamaica.
abstract: The importance of Chlamydia trachomatis as a cause of genital tract infection in Caribbean countries is largely unknown. Two hundred and sixteen cervical and urethral specimens were collected from patients with cervicitis and urethritis attending a Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Clinic, a Gynaecology Clinic and a Family Planning Clinic in Kingston. Specimens were tested for chlamydiae by direct immunofluorescence and cell culture methods. They were also investigated for N. gonorrhoeae infections. Seventy-two of 138 patients (52.2%) at the STD Clinic were positive for chlamydiae; 28 of 50 (56.0%) from the Gynaecology Clinic and 11 of 28 (39.3%) from the Family Planning Clinic were positive. The prevalence of C. trachomatis (52.3%) was higher than that of N. gonorrhoeae (11.1%) in all groups. The results indicate that C. trachomatis is a common cause of genital tract infections in Jamaica.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, U.W.I., Jamaica.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dowe
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Wynter
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Brathwaite
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D014504:Urban Health