ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: One of the most common causative microorganisms in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is the chlamydia trachomatis. In many cases chlamydia trachomatis infection has weak and nearly absent symptom, but it's endocervical infection usually disseminates into upper genital tract. In this infection tubal obstruction, infertility, tubal pregnancy, and recurrent pelvic infection has involved. In this study, we investigated the prevalance of chlamydia trochoma infections in symptomatic and asymptomatic women and its relation with Human Papilloma infection. METHODS: From Jan, 1999 to July, 2003, in St. Vincet's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, endocervial swabs were obtained in 3416 patients (1137 in Heath Promotion Center, 2226 in OPD) by Amplicor Chlamydia Trahomatis Kits (STD swab specimen collection transprt kits). Chlamydia trachomatis DNA was extracted and amplified by PCR assays to investigate the prevalence. Also in this study we investigated the prevalence of human papilloma virus by hybrid capture method. Women who visted Hospital were received routine gynecologic examination, history taking, and physical examination and information on potential risk factors was obtained by questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of Chlamydia trachomatis in symptomatic women was 12.6% and there was a high peak prevalence among the early twenties (66%). The prevalence rate of Chlamydia in asymtomatic women was 8.2% but there was no peak in early twenties. In asymptomatic woman, asymptomatic chlamydia infection can be statistically anticipated by 1) Economic status, 2) Occupation status, 3) Alcohol intake, 4) History of Gynecologic disease, 5) History of STD. Women with chlamydia infection was 1.5 times greater risk of coincidal HPV infection and was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of chlamydia infection is higher than any other developed country, especially in asymptomatic women. Although symptoms are weak, the rate of prevalence and complications can be reduced by the screening of chlamydial infection.