Prevalence of sexually transmitted pathogens among women attending a methadone clinic in Israel.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of sexually transmitted pathogens in drug-addicted women in Tel Aviv, Israel.


METHODS
A prospective study conducted between March and July 1987.


METHODS
A methadone clinic in Tel Aviv, Israel.


METHODS
Sixty four asymptomatic female drug addicts were studied; 38 of them were declared practising prostitutes.


METHODS
Cervical specimens were obtained for cultures, and blood samples were drawn for serological tests. Demographic data and sexual histories were obtained using a standard questionnaire.


RESULTS
Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in the cervix of 25% of women; 98% had antibody titres (greater than 1:64). Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum were isolated in 57% and 65% respectively. Gardnerella vaginalis was detected in 17% of women, and herpes simplex virus was cultured from two prostitutes. Five per cent of women were carriers of HBsAg, while 57% had HBSs and/or HBc antibodies. Only one prostitute had specific treponemal antibodies. In no case were gonococci or group B streptococci isolated, and HIV serology was invariably negative.


CONCLUSIONS
Chlamydia and genital mycoplasmas appear to be the prevailing pathogens in Israeli drug-addicted women, while gonococci and Treponema pallidum occur only rarely.
Samra
Z
Z
Beilinson Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
Dan
M
M
Segev
S
S
Fintsi
Y
Y
Bar-Shany
S
S
Weinberg
M
M
Gutman
R
R
D000328:Adult; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006194:Gardnerella vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D014509:Ureaplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification