title: Predictors of repeat Chlamydia trachomatis infections diagnosed by DNA amplification testing among inner city females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the epidemiology of prevalent and incident chlamydia infection in order to assess the appropriate interval for chlamydia screening; and to identify risk factors predictive of infection and repeat infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective longitudinal study of a consecutive sample of 3860 sexually active females aged 12-60 years tested for C. trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction in Baltimore City clinics during 11,904 patient visits over a 33 month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chlamydia prevalence, incidence, and frequency to diagnosis of infection varied by age. Among 2073 females < 25 years, chlamydia infection was found in 31.2%. The median times to first and repeat incident infections were 7.0 months and 7.6 months, respectively. Among 1787 females > or = 25 years, chlamydia infection was found in 9.6%. Median times to first and repeat incident infections were 13.8 months and 11.0 months, respectively. Age < 25 years yielded the highest risk of infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since a high burden of chlamydia was found among mostly asymptomatic females < 25 years in a spectrum of clinical settings, we recommend chlamydia screening for all sexually active females < 25 years at least twice yearly.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. gib5@cdc.gov
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Burstein
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zenilman
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gaydos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diener-West
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Brathwaite
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Quinn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial