Asymptomatic sexually transmitted disease prevalence in four military populations: application of DNA amplification assays for Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening.
The prevalence of asymptomatic chlamydial and gonococcal infections in male and female military populations was determined using urine-based ligase chain reaction DNA amplification assays (DAAs). Cross-sectional surveys in four military settings revealed an overall prevalence of asymptomatic chlamydial infection of 4.2% (56/1338). This included 3.4% (21/618) of Western Pacific shipboard US Marine Corps enlisted men; 5.2% (21/406) of male marines shore-based in Okinawa, Japan; 2.7% (5/183) of female enlisted US Navy subtender personnel in dry dock; and 6.9% (9/131) of shore-based female naval personnel in San Diego. No gonococcal infections were detected. All subjects were treated within 2 weeks of screening; none of them had progressed to symptomatic disease. General population-based screening for asymptomatic sexually transmitted diseases, and in particular chlamydial infection, can be successfully implemented using urine-based DAA tests. Benefits are maximized in a population in which compliance for follow-up therapy is high.
Brodine
S K
SK
Health Sciences and Epidemiology Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California 92186-5122, USA. brodine@nhrc.navy.mil
Shafer
M A
MA
Shaffer
R A
RA
Boyer
C B
CB
Putnam
S D
SD
Wignall
F S
FS
Thomas
R J
RJ
Bales
B
B
Schachter
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D014481:United States
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic