Cervical Chlamydia trachomatis Infection Related Wet Prepa ration of Vaginal Secretion among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic

Abstract

Objective To assess the prevalence of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection among the pregnant women and their association with wet preparation of vaginal secretion.

Main outcome measures Chlamydial isolation and wet preparation of vaginal secretion.

Results Cervical C. trachomatis infection was identified in 10 of 199 cases (5%). Nearly two-thirds (6 of 10 cases) of cervical C. trachomatis infection (60%) were less than 25 years old. Most (7 of 10 cases) of cervical C. trachomatis infection (70%) had no abnormal vaginal discharge. There were no herpes simplex virus and gonococca infection among them. The past history of dysuria, pelvic discomfort, pelvic pain, abnormal menstruation, IUD insertion, and STD in their husbands did not show the difference between chlamydiae negative and positive group; including history of preterm delivery, spontaneous abortion, premature rupture of membranes, fetal death among multiparous women. Three findings of microscopic criteria of vaginal discharge were determined : a) PMN leukocyte to epithelium cell ratio more than 1:1; b) clue cell more than 20% of total vaginal epithelial cells ; c) scanty or no lactobacilli, each and all findings revealed no statistical significant difference between chlamydiae negative and positive group. 

Conclusion Cervical C. trachomatis infection is usually asymptomatic, and the diagnosis is depended on chlamydial antigen detection more than microscopic finding of vaginal discharge. In low prevalence population, the application of prenatal screening criteria is not well established.