Chlamydia trachomatis detected in cervical smears from Copper-T users by DFA test.
OBJECTIVE
This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) antigen in endocervical smears from women using the Copper-T200 (Cu-T) intrauterine device and comparing them with nonusers.


METHODS
The direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test was used to detect the CT antigen (CT Ag).


RESULTS
A total of 422 women between 17 and 42 years of age was evaluated. Out of these 71 (16.8%) were positive for CT Ag. Among Cu-T users (n = 222), 14.0% were positive. The duration of Cu-T use varied from 6 to 80 months. Among nonusers (n = 200), the DFA test was positive in 20.0% (p = 0.11, NS). However, as a whole, symptoms related to genital tract infection were significantly more common in Copper-T users than in nonusers (p < 0.02) and signs were relatively more common in Cu-T users but not significantly so (p = 0.16). Similarly, as a group, symptoms as well as signs were significantly more common in all DFA-positive cases than in all negative cases (p < 0.02). Among Cu-T users, symptoms were relatively more common, and signs were significantly more common, in women positive for CT Ag than in the negative cases (p < 0.04). There were two cases of mild pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) diagnosed clinically, one in a Copper-T user, and the other a nonuser, both being positive by the DFA test.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no correlation between the duration of Copper-T use and percent positivity for CT Ag. Although milder genital tract symptoms and signs were more common in women with chlamydial cervicitis, clinically PID appears to be uncommon (0.5%). PID in this study was not related to Copper-T use but related to chlamydial cervicitis in this group of women with low risk sexual behavior.
Palayekar
V
V
Institute for Research in Reproduction (ICMR), Parel, Bombay, India.
Joshi
J V
JV
Hazari
K T
KT
Shah
R S
RS
Chitlange
S M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial