Screening of chlamydia trachomatis and neisseria gonorrhoeae with pcr during pregnancy

Abstract

Because of association with adverse pregnancy outcomes and the morbid consequences of neonatal chlamydial and gonococcal infections, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all pregnant women should be screened for chlamydia trachomatis (CT) at the first prenatal visit. CDC also recommends screening for neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) in women considered at high risk or who live in an area in which the prevalance is high. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend screening in pregnant women 24 years of age and younger, as well as women of any age who have high risk. ACOG also recommend rescreening of pregnant women in their third trimester. The purpose of this study was to determine the rates of CT and NG infections in pregnant women in our university hospital. Additionally, we explored the associations between sexually transmitted infection risk factors and CT/NG in pregnant women. This descriptive study was conducted among 42 pregnant women entering an antenatal clinic in Balikesir, Turkey in their third trimester visit. Structured questionnaires were used to collect demographic and sexual behavioral information; clinical and gynecologic examinations were performed to detect clinical signs of sexually transmitted infections. Servical swabs were collected and used to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect CT and NG. Descriptive statistics were performed. For the study group, the median age was 28,9 +/- 5,5 years (range, 19-39 years). Gestational age was 33,8 +/- 3,1 weeks. Age at first sexual intercourse was 23,3 +/- 4,8. The most common contraceptive method was coitus interruptus with the percentage of 38,1%. Vaginal discharge was positive 85,7%; dyspareunia was positive 23,8% of the patients. CT/NG was negative in all specimens. Although our study population has limited number; it can give an opinion about screening for NG and CT may not be useful in our population because the lack of risk factors.