Persistence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection detected by polymerase chain reaction in untreated patients.
Sex Transm Dis
; 29(4): 196-200, 2002 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11912459
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Prior studies have used Chlamydia trachomatis culture methods to demonstrate both persistence and spontaneous clearance of genital C trachomatis infection.OBJECTIVE:
To further assess the issue of persistence and spontaneous clearance of C trachomatis infection, untreated men and women were evaluated with repeated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.METHODS:
Ninety four untreated patients with a prior positive C trachomatis PCR test returning to the Denver Metro Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic were retested by PCR.RESULTS:
The median and range intervals from initial to follow-up testing were 9.0 (2-112) days for men and 10.0 (2-231) days for women. Repeated PCR tests were positive for 29 of 36 men (80.6%) and 45 of 58 women (77.6%). Persistent PCR positivity did not decrease with a longer testing interval. By multivariate analysis, independent predictors of a persistently positive PCR test included nonwhite ethnicity, an interval of more than 3 days since last sexual encounter before the initial test, and an initial PCR optical density value of greater than or equal to 3.0.CONCLUSIONS:
In the absence of treatment, a large majority of patients testing positive for C trachomatis by PCR are likely to remain positive for variable periods of time, increasing the risk of transmission and immune-mediated damage. A low initial optical density value and recent sexual contact may be markers for exposure that does not establish infection.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Infecções por Chlamydia
/
Doenças Urogenitais Masculinas
/
Doenças Urogenitais Femininas
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2002
Tipo de documento:
Article