STUDY OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH OTHER VAGINAL FLORA PATTERNS IN WOMEN ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NAVI MUMBAI

Background Screening women for Chlamydia trachomatis infection in developing countries is highly desirable because of asymptomatic infection and consequent sequel resulting from such infection. Diagnosis of this bacterium is only limited to certain research centers and is not widespread. Moreover little is known about the association of C.trachomatis with other Sexually Transmitted Agents. METHODS In this cross-sectional pilot study, 55 women attending the Gynecology Out Patient were screened for the detection of C. trachomatis infection. Polymerase chain reaction was used to diagnose current C. trachomatis infection and ELISA for past infections. In addition patients were also screened for Bacterial vaginosis, Candida,N.gonorrhoea,Syphilis and Vaginal Trichomoniasis to try and establish a casual relationship between C.trachomatis and other reproductive tract agents . RESULTS Fifty five women were screened for C.trachomatis as well as other Reproductive Tract Agents of which only 5 patients showed evidence of past C.trachomatis infection ,acute infection was not observed. 3were positive for Bacterial Vaginosis(BV) ,8 had Vaginal Candidiasis while there was only 1 case each positive for Syphilis and Vaginal Trichomoniasis.Coinfection of C.trachomatis with BV was observed in only one case.N.gonorrhoea was not detected in any of the samples.