Treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis identified with Chlamydiazyme during pregnancy. Impact on perinatal complications and infants.
A rapid enzyme immunoassay antigen detection system (Chlamydiazyme) was used to screen 199 asymptomatic, third-trimester women. Fifty-two (26%) were Chlamydiazyme positive; they were mostly primiparous, single, young and black. Infected women were offered erythromycin therapy, counseling and posttherapy retesting. Sexual partners were treated likewise. Erythromycin compliance, determined by a questionnaire, was high (92%), and side effects (16%) were tolerable. Pregnancy outcome and infant illnesses were monitored to determine the effectiveness of therapy. There were no significant differences in pregnancy outcome in the Chlamydiazyme-negative and treated, Chlamydiazyme-positive women. Prospective evaluation of infants born to 48 negative and 50 treated, Chlamydiazyme-positive women revealed no significant differences in the incidence of respiratory tract illnesses or conjunctivitis. Chlamydiazyme can be used in a screening program to identify and treat third-trimester women infected with C trachomatis. As previously reported, erythromycin therapy for colonized women interrupted the expected transmission of C trachomatis to their infants.
Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Shreveport.
C
C
Black-Payne
M M
MM
Ahrabi
J A
JA
Bocchini
C R
CR
Ridenour
R M
RM
Brouillette
D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D004716:Endometritis / Q000209:etiology; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D004917:Erythromycin