Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis from Urine Specimens by PCR in Women with Cervicitis

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common agent of urogenital infections in both men and women. Diagnosis of chlamydial infections is based on isolation of bacteria in tissue culture media that requires at least 48 to 72h. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a sensitive and specific method for detection of small quantity of bacterial DNA in clinical samples. The first goal of this study was to perform a PCR testing for detecting of C. trachomatis from urine samples and after that to identify the frequency of C. trachomatis among cervicitis women and at the end, to identify the potential risk factors for chlamydial genital infection. From August to October 2002, a total of 122 consecutive women with cervicitis who attended Obstetric & Gynecology Clinic of Shoosh, Tehran-Iran were involved into the study. After DNA extraction from urine specimens, PCR tests were performed. C. trachomatis genome was detected in 14 of 94 (14/9%) urine specimens. The highest C. trachomatis cervical infection frequency was found in women with 28 to 38 years old group, elementary education level group, and in users IUD for contraception. The results of this study indicate that PCR technique is a useful method for detecting C. trachomatis in urine.