[Early diagnosis of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection among adolescent girls].

UNLABELLED: Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most frequently found sexually transmitted disease among sexually active adolescent 15-19-year-old girls. In general, infection caused by C. trachomatis tends to be less abrupt in onset, clinical course is usually characterized as asymptomatic or with mild symptoms. If is although the cause of moderate to severe complications (infertility, pelvic inflammatory diseases) at a later age.

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence of chlamydia infection and the possibilities and of early detection among adolescent girls.

METHODS

Four hundred eighty seven 15-19-year-old girls were questioned by anonymous questionnaire. All 240 sexually active girls were advised to come for the investigation to the Clinic of Pediatrics of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital. Fifty nine girls underwent inspection of the genitalia, had a speculum and bimanual pelvic examination, test of CT/NG DNA hybridisation for C. trachomatis from vagina. Smears from urethra vagina and cervix were taken.

RESULTS

Test for C. trachomatis infection was positive in 11 (18%) by CT/NG DNA hibridisation from vagina. Detection of bad smelling discharge from vagina together with nonspecific changes in vaginal and cervical mucosa, mount and methylene blue prepared smears could reliably predict the diagnosis of C. trachomatis infection.

CONCLUSION

We found high prevalence of C. trachomatis infection among adolescent girls. Only clinical symptoms together with nospecifical test were reliable predictors of the final diagnosis, enabling to start the early treatment.