The concordance of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection between sexual partners, in the era of nucleic acid testing.
BACKGROUND
The rate of transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis, by infected males and females to their sexual partners, has been a matter of continued scientific interest and exploration.


METHODS
We examined the correlation of C. trachomatis infection in sexual partnerships, using Strand Displacement Amplification.


RESULTS
During July-November 2003, 97 male patients were reported positive for C. trachomatis. Fifty of the female sexual consorts were amenable for contact tracing, 38 of whom were identified as C. trachomatis positive. Within the same period, 93 female patients were C. trachomatis positive, and 56 male consorts were traceable, of whom 43 were positive for C. trachomatis.


CONCLUSIONS
The concordance of C. trachomatis between sexual partners is in the region of 75%. This strengthens the case for epidemiological treatment for all consorts.
Markos
A R
AR
Genitourinary Medicine, Mid Staffordshire General Hospitals NHS Trust, Weston Road, Stafford, ST16 3SA, England. atef.markos@msgh-tr.wmids.nhs.uk
D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D016358:Contact Tracing; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012747:Sexual Partners
D004279:DNA, Viral