Chlamydia trachomatis infection at a family planning clinic

Endocervical samples were taken for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis from 500 consecutive patients attending a family planning clinic. The Microtrak direct specimen immunofluorescence test was used. Swabs from 79 patients (15.8%) were positive for chlamydia. Seventy-one (95%) of these patients were symptom free, and 39.8% were under 20 years old. Twenty-one patients were pregnant, seven (33%) had chlamydia. Those positive for chlamydia had twice the frequency of abnormal smears and other sexually transmitted infections as those who were negative. Contraceptive use was similar except that intrauterine devices were used less frequently by patients with chlamydia infection. This report indicates the frequent occurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in New Zealand and that newly developed methods of diagnosis enable us to identify and treat those with this infection. Characteristically these patients are under 20, have multiple partners and a high incidence of abnormal smears and other sexually transmitted infections.