Chlamydia trachomatis isolation in a symptomatic university student population

In a study of 638 women attending a University Student Health Service outpatient gynecologic clinic, their symptoms were either lower genital tract infection or a history of suspected exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. Forty-two (6.6%) harbored Chlamydia trachomatis, four (0.8%) Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and one (0.2%) both of these organisms. Chlamydia-positive patients were more likely to be using a contraceptive method, have multiple partners, and have partners with symptoms of urethritis (P = .05). The Chlamydia-positive patients were no more likely to have increased or abnormal vaginal discharge than were controls. Of the women harboring Chlamydia trachomatis, only one of 36 (3%) of those who were available for follow-up at one to eight weeks posttreatment was still infected with the organism.