ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of leukocyte esterase dipstick test (LET) performed in cervical mucus to predict direct immunofluorescent (DIF)-verified Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) cervical infection. METHOD: Eighty women with inflammatory cervico-vaginal smear were submitted to both an endocervical smear, to verify Ct cervicitis by DIF technique; and a cervical mucus sample to perform LET. Results of LET and DIF were matched. RESULTS: Among 30 Chlamydial positive subjects, cervical mucus esterase test was positive in 28 (93.3%); while among 50 Chlamydial negative controls, esterase test was negative in 43 subject (86%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for LET were 93.3%, 86%, 80% and 95% respectively. CONCLUSION: Cervical mucus LET is a simple, cost effective screening test, with promising accuracy, for Ct cervical infection among women with inflammatory cervico-vaginal smears.
Subject(s)
Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases/analysis , Cervix Mucus/enzymology , Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis , Chlamydia trachomatis , Mass Screening/methods , Uterine Cervicitis/diagnosis , Biomarkers/analysis , Chlamydia Infections/enzymology , Chlamydia Infections/pathology , Cohort Studies , Female , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct , Humans , Pilot Projects , Predictive Value of Tests , Uterine Cervicitis/enzymology , Uterine Cervicitis/pathology , Vaginal SmearsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate genital Chlamydial infection incidence among high risk clinical conditions in Egyptian women. METHODS: A case control study in Ain Shams University Hospital involving 501 patients with cervicitis (n = 58), abnormal cervical smear (n = 256), tubal infertility (n = 85), ectopic pregnancy (n = 22), preterm labour (n = 80) and 192 controls. Active cervical Chlamydial infection was diagnosed using direct immunofluorescent technique. Data were analyzed by Chi-square (chi 2) and Z tests. RESULTS: Significant increase of Chlamydial infection among different clinical conditions compared to controls. The percentage of positive chlamydial infection was 79.3% among cervicitis group, 33.3% among subjects with inflammatory smear, 75.2% among those with cervical condyloma, 82.6% among those with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, 51.8% among tubal infertility subjects, 77.2% among ectopic patients and 56.3% among subjects with preterm labour. CONCLUSION: The incidence of Chlamydial infection in these high risk Egyptian patients is relatively high. Emperical treatment is recommended as the diagnosis is costly and usually not available.
Subject(s)
Chlamydia Infections/epidemiology , Chlamydia trachomatis , Case-Control Studies , Egypt , Female , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct , Humans , Infertility, Female/microbiology , Obstetric Labor, Premature/microbiology , Pregnancy , Pregnancy, Ectopic/microbiology , Risk Factors , Uterine Cervicitis/microbiology , Vaginal Smears , Uterine Cervical Dysplasia/microbiologyABSTRACT
In this study the luteal function was evaluated in 109 subjects 2 to 108 months following tubal sterilization by Pomeroy's technique or laparoscopic tubal rings. Midluteal endometrial biopsies determined by basal body temperature charts were performed and dated in all subjects. Midluteal serum progesterone was estimated by RIA in 40 women. Our results indicated that the mean time which had elapsed since sterilization was significantly shorter in the subjects who revealed luteal defects than in those with normal luteal function. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 occlusive techniques in terms of poststerilization incidence of luteal defects.
