Chlamydia trachomatis infection in asymtomatic men with urethritis. Usefulness of first catch urine samples Infección por Chlamydia trachomatis en hombres chilenos asintomáticos y con uretritis. Utilidad de la orina de primer chorro

Abstract

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for 30 to 50% of genital tract infections and is present, without symptoms, in 20% of men and 60% of women. We have little information in Chile about the prevalence of this infection. Aim: To assess the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in men, using first catch urine samples. Subjects and methods: Three hundred and fifty one first catch urine samples of asymptomatic men and 50 samples coming from men with a primary urethritis, were analyzed. Urethral discharge samples from the latter were simultaneously studied. Analysis was performed using an enzyme immuno analysis (MicroTrak Chlamydia EIA, Syva Co.) and a nested polymerase chain reaction towards the gene that codifies MOMP (PCP/OMP). Results: Among asymptomatic men, two of 154 teenagers aged 18 to 19 years old (1.3%), 10 of 100 university students (10%) and eight of 97 adults over 30 years old (8.2%), were infected. The global prevalence of infection in these men was 5.7%. The preva