[Chlamydia trachomatis in at-risk groups in legal abortion in the first trimester]

Examination for the presence of C. Trachomatis in the cervix and urethra and bacteriological examination of the cervix were performed in a material of 224 patients for legal abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. Chlamydia was demonstrated in 8.9% of the patients, Neisseria gonorrhoeae in 0.5% and, in 41%, growth of Gardnerella vaginalis predominated. It proved possible to define a group at risk for the presence of Chlamydia consisting of all the patients under the age of 25 years and nulliparae aged 25-29 years. 17% in this group had positive Chlamydia tests as compared with 1.7% in the patients in other groups. Patients in the above mentioned risk group should be examined for C. trachomatis in cases of legal termination of pregnancy so that appropriate treatment can be administered prior to evacuation.