Asymptomatic carriage of Haemophilus ducreyi confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate asymptomatic carriage of Haemophilus ducreyi by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on samples from women at high risk of infection.


METHODS
213 commercial sex workers (CSWs) recruited in The Gambia, West Africa.


METHODS
Genital samples (cervical, vaginal and ulcer) were tested for the presence of H ducreyi by PCR with the technique of "one tube nested primer".


RESULTS
12 CSWs were PCR positive for H ducreyi; 8 of these women had genital ulcers on examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Using a simplified PCR technique for detecting H ducreyi we have shown that 2% of CSWs were carrying the organism without clinical symptoms or signs. This has important implications for sexually transmitted disease control programmes in areas with a high prevalence of chancroid.
Hawkes
S
S
Department of Clinical Sciences, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.
West
B
B
Wilson
S
S
Whittle
H
H
Mabey
D
D
D001483:Base Sequence; D002353:Carrier State; D002602:Chancroid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005714:Gambia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006191:Haemophilus ducreyi; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011477:Sex Work