Clinical features of Chlamydia trachomatis rectal infection by serovar among homosexually active men.
OBJECTIVE
Because C. trachomatis serovars correlate with the clinical manifestations of cervical infection, we undertook this study to determine whether clinical, behavioral, and laboratory findings correlate with C. trachomatis serovars isolated from rectal infections.


OBJECTIVE
To correlate C. trachomatis serovar with signs and symptoms of rectal infection.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of 454 men with rectal C. trachomatis infection attending an urban sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic was undertaken. Isolates were thawed, passaged to high titer, and typed using a panel of monoclonal antibodies. Compared to men infected with B complex isolates (164), men with C complex isolates (55) were less likely to report symptoms (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.1-0.8), or to have erythema, bleeding, or mucopus (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1-0.8). Among men with inclusion counts of more than 100, those infected with FG group versus B complex isolates were more likely to present with mucopus (OR: 10.5; 95% CI: 1.2-95.5), more than 15 polymorphonuclear leukocytes (OR: 19.2; 95% CI: 1.7-219.8), and proctitis (OR: 4.2; 95% CI: 1.1-16.7).


CONCLUSIONS
Signs and symptoms of rectal infection correlate with the serovar of C. trachomatis isolates.
Boisvert
J F
JF
Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
Koutsky
L A
LA
Suchland
R J
RJ
Stamm
W E
WE
D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology*