Chlamydia trachomatis genital infections in a community-based family practice clinic.
Primary care physicians must become aware of the epidemiology and current diagnostic and management approaches to genital infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, since they are the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. Clinical information was obtained on 282 sexually active female and 54 male patients aged between 14 and 44 years presenting for either asymptomatic physical examination or urogenital symptoms at a community-based family practice clinic that primarily serves middle socioeconomic class patients. A direct fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal antibody staining test for C trachomatis was found to be positive in 34 (12 percent) of 282 women and 15 (28 percent) of 54 men. Two (11 percent) of 19 pregnant women were found to be infected. Significantly more women presenting with urogenital symptoms or as a sexual contact of a symptomatic partner or those with abnormal findings on physical examination were found to have a positive test than were those who had no symptoms and no abnormal findings on physical examination. Similar trends were found in men, but were not statistically significant. It is recommended that primary care physicians presumptively treat those patients who have urogenital symptoms or have been exposed to sexual partners with urogenital symptoms and test asymptomatic patients who have signs of a possible C trachomatis infection.
Saxer
J J
JJ
Goppert Family Care Center, Kansas City, MO 64131.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal