Infection rate of Chlamydia trachomatis in sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Chiang Rai province using nucleic acid hybridization technique (GEN-PROBE)

Abstract

                  Among sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), nonspecific urethritis (NSU) is the most frequently cause found. Most cases are asymptomatic and patients do not come for treatment, which lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility. Furthermore, Chlamydia trachomatis infection also enhances HIV infection. This study focuses on the infection rate of Chlamydia trachomatis at the STDs clinic in Chiang Rai province from October 2004 to September 2006 using nucleic acid hybridization technique (GEN-PROBE^TM). One thousand three hundred seventeen cases were included. Ninety seven (7.4 %) cases were positive including 74 cases (76.3 %) from the commercial sex workers group, 14 cases (14.4 %) from the youth group (less than 20 years old) and 9 cases (9.3 %) from the general patient group.  In summary, the study shows that commercial sex workers had the highest risk of Chlamydia trachomatis infection as compared to other groups. The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection should be considered and monitored for further HIV prevention.