title: Prevalence of asymptomatic infections in sexually transmitted diseases attendees diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are a major health problem affecting mostly young people in both developing and developed countries. STD in women causes both acute morbidity and complications such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, low-birth weight, and prematurity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis among asymptomatic females attending STD outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital in South India.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of data collected from clinical records of 3000 female patients of age 18 to 49 over a period of 12 months (July 2014 to June 2015) was carried out at the Institute of Venereology, Madras Medical College. Complete epidemiological, clinical, and investigational data were recorded and analyzed for the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis among asymptomatic patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 48.37% (228/470) of bacterial vaginosis patients were asymptomatic. Nearly 45.38% (116/235) of vaginal candidiasis patients were asymptomatic and 30.35% (26/87) of trichomoniasis patients were asymptomatic. The above infections were common in the age group 25-35.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Holistic screening protocol was incorporated for all female patients attending STD clinic even if asymptomatic and should be treated accordingly to prevent the acquisition of other serious sexually transmitted infections.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Venereology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rajalakshmi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Venereology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalaivani
keywords: Bacterial vaginosis; trichomoniasis; vaginal candidiasis; vaginal discharge