[Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, as evaluated by molecular biology methods].
BACKGROUND
To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in our area by molecular methods.


METHODS
We describe the combined results of three studies carried out in the city of Barcelona including a total of 408 women considered to be at high risk for acquiring a sexually transmitted disease (STD). The first study was performed in 94 women attended at a public STD clinic located downtown, the second in 112 women attended at the Hospital Clinic and the third in 202 women attended at Hospital Vall d'Hebron (both third-level hospitals). In the first and third study endocervical exudate was tested with a PCR technique, and in the second study LCR was performed in 20-ml urine samples.


RESULTS
Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 1 woman in the first study, in no women in the second and in 3 women in the third. The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection detected in the three studies using molecular biology techniques was 1.06%, 0% and 1.48% respectively, giving an overall prevalence of 0.98%.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in our geographic area is surprisingly low.
Andreu Domingo
Antonia
A
Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. anondo@cs.vhebron.es
Pumarola Suñe
Tomas
T
Sanz Colomo
Benicio
B
Sobejano García
Lucia
L
Xercavins Montosa
Jordi
J
Coll Escursell
Oriol
O
López López
María Angeles
MA
Codina Grau
Gema
G
D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population; D002575:Uterine Cervicitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial