ABSTRACT
This study describes the prevalence of infection by Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis in a female population in Amazonas, Brazil. We collected cervical samples from 361 women examined at 10 primary care health services in the city of Coari, Amazonas, Brazil. The women were interviewed about socio-economic data, clinical history and sexual behaviour. Pelvic examinations were performed and cervical specimens were collected for detection of pathogens by PCR. The prevalence of infection was: 12.7% for Trichomonas vaginalis, 6.4% for Chlamydia trachomatis and 1.4% for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. There were no statistically significant associations between infections by any of the pathogens nor by any pathogen alone with any clinical variable, socio-demographic data or sexual behaviour. This study draws attention to the need for surveillance and possible need for screening for Chlamydia trachomatis, which often progresses asymptomatically. For the significant prevalence found, attention should also be given to asymptomatic infection by Trichomonas vaginalis, since this pathogen has recently been implicated as a risk factor for HIV infection.
Subject(s)
Chlamydia Infections/epidemiology , Chlamydia trachomatis/isolation & purification , Gonorrhea/epidemiology , Neisseria gonorrhoeae/isolation & purification , Trichomonas Vaginitis/epidemiology , Trichomonas vaginalis/isolation & purification , Adult , Brazil/epidemiology , Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis , Chlamydia trachomatis/genetics , Female , Gonorrhea/diagnosis , Gonorrhea/microbiology , Humans , Neisseria gonorrhoeae/genetics , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Prevalence , Primary Health Care , Risk Factors , Sexual Behavior , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/parasitology , Trichomonas Vaginitis/parasitology , Trichomonas vaginalis/genetics , Young AdultABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in a women population living within the state of Amazonas, Brazil, and to determine the viral genotypes found. The study included 361 sexually active women over 18 years of age. We performed the Pap test and the molecular diagnosis for HPV DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The amplicons obtained were sequenced in automatic sequencer for genotyping. The presence of HPV DNA was found in 29.1% (105) of the women. Only 321 women presented satisfactory slides for cytological diagnosis, 97.9% (314) had normal cytology (negative for cancer), and 2.1% (7) had abnormal cytology (4 ASCUS, 1 LSIL, and 2 HSIL). The types more frequently found were HPV 16 (58.1%) and HPV 58 (20.0%). Additionally, we found more 13 types of HPV. Compared with previous studies in Brazil, our data confirmed a high prevalence and genotypic diversity of HPV in Brazilian women.
