[Cell culture for active Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a population of symptomatic women in Abidjan].

The object of our study has been to assess Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence among symptomatic women in Abidjan and to identify issues related to the use of cell culture methods in a tropical laboratory. 1522 women with vaginal discharge were enrolled in a cross sectional study. One endocervical swab was taken per woman and inoculated into cycloheximide treated Mac Coy cells. Elementary bodies were detected by direct fluorescent antibody (DFA). The isolate rate of Chlamydia trachomatis by cell culture was estimated to 86%. The prevalence of chlamydial infection among symptomatic women was 10.8%. Culture was influenced by presence of blood or cervical mucus in the sample. 206 samples gave no results because of blood or cervical mucus. During this study repeated contaminations of cells with facultative bacteria were noted and disposing of a sufficient number of cells was not easy.