Gonorrhoea and urogenital chlamydial infection in female prostitutes in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

The prevalence of gonorrhoea and urogenital chlamydial infection was investigated in female prostitutes in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Epidemiological data were recorded according to a standardized questionnaire. The median age of the prostitutes was 27 years and the median period of prostitution was 2-4 years. Most of the women (91%) had no occupation other than prostitution and 57% of them had not even completed primary school. In 233 cases when both gonococcal culture and chlamydial antigen detection with a commercial EIA kit were performed the prevalence of gonorrhoea was 25% (59) and that of chlamydial infection 31% (72). Both diseases were recorded in 9%. The women who had been prostitutes for 2 years or longer had gonorrhoea (P less than 0.01) or chlamydial infection (P less than 0.05) less frequently than those who had practised prostitution for a shorter time period. Among 70 different gonococcal isolates from 241 prostitutes, 40 (57%) belonged to serogroup W II/III. Most (83%) of the 30 W I isolates were beta-lactamase producing (PPNG) like 42% of the W II/III isolates. All non-PPNG isolates, except one had decreased susceptibility to benzylpenicillin (MIC greater than or equal to 0.125 mg/l) and all isolates were susceptible to spectinomycin. Four out of five isolates from the throat were PPNG and the fifth had a benzylpenicillin MIC of 0.5-2.0 mg/l.

PIP: The prevalence of gonorrhea and urogenital chlamydia infection was investigated among female prostitutes in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Epidemiological data were recorded according to a standardized questionnaire. The median age of the prostitutes was 27 years old and median period of prostitution was 2-4 years. Most of the women (91%) has no other occupation besides prostitution and 57% of them had not even completed primary school. Among 233 cases when both gonococcal culture and chlamydial antigen detection with a commercial EIA kit were performed, the prevalence of gonorrhea was 25% (59) and that of chlamydial infection 31% (72). Both diseases were recorded in 9%. The women who had been prostitutes for 2 or more years had gonorrhea (p0.01) or chlamydial infection (p0.05) less frequently than those who had practiced prostitution for a shorter time period. Among 70 different gonococcal isolates from 241 prostitutes, 40 (57%) belonged to serogroup W II/III. Most (83%) of the W I isolates were beta-lactamase producing (PPNG) as were 42% of the W II/III isolates. All non-PPNG isolates except 1 had decreased susceptibility to benzylpenicillin (MIC or= o.125 mg/1) and all isolates were susceptible to spectinomycin. 4 of 5 isolates from the throat were PPNG and the 5th had a benzylpenicillin MIC of 0.5-2.0 mg/l.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection and syphilis in Hondurian female prostitutes.

The seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and syphilis was investigated in 181 female prostitutes in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. One particle agglutination test and two enzyme immunoassays, as well as one immunofluorescence test were used for the screening of HIV antibodies. Confirmation of positive results by the screening tests was carried out by Western blot. The prevalence of HIV seropositivity was 4% (8 women). Specific treponemal antibodies were found in 50% (90/181) of the prostitutes as judged by Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) and/or fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABSIgG) test. As estimated by the positivity of any or both non-treponemal tests (VDRL and RPR), a total of 31 (17%) out of the 181 women had active syphilis. A good correlation was found between the results obtained by TPHA and FTA-ABSIgG. IgM antibodies were found in 72% of sera positive by TPHA and/or FTA-ABSIgG. Four out of the 181 women were found to have antibodies to both HIV and Treponema pallidum.

PIP: The seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and syphilis was investigated among 181 female prostitutes in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. 1 particle agglutination test and 2 enzyme immunoassays, as well as 1 immunofluorescence test, were used for the screening of HIV antibodies. Confirmation of positive results by the screening tests was carried out by western blot. The prevalence of HIV seropositivity was 4% (8 women). Specific treponemal antibodies were found in 50% (90/181) of the prostitutes as judged by Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) and/or fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABSIgG) test. As estimated by the positivity of any or both nontreponemal tests (VDRL and RPR), a total of 31 (17%) of 181 women had active syphilis. A good correlation was found between the results obtained by TPHA and FTA-ABSIgG. IgM antibodies were found in 72% of sera positive by TPHA and/or FTA-ABSIgG. 4 of 181 women were found to have antibodies to both HIV and Treponema pallidum.