Pap testing and direct immunofluorescence for Chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnant women.

The aim of the study was to determine the potential for both Pap testing and direct immunofluorescence assay for detection of chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnant women. A total of 351 pregnant women (first to second trimesters; age range: 15-30 years) were recruited. The background data relating to social and marital status, age, anamnestic data were recorded. Serum samples were tested for IgM antibodies specific to Chlamydia trachomatis by ELISA. Cervical Pap smears were stained by Papanicolaou and direct immunofluorescence. In the present study the overall rate of C. trachomatis infections in pregnant women was 33%. Pap testing suggested a diagnosis of chlamydia trachomatis infection in 8.5% of cases only, direct fluorescence showed positivity in all patients. The highest incidence of unmarried status was recorded in the patients with mixed chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis, also with chlamydial monoinfection, rare visits to the gynecologists were common in patients with mixed chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis, mixed chlamydial and HPV infections, also with chlamydial monoinfection, multiple lifetime sex partners were reported by the patients with combined chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis, also with chlamydial monoinfection. The prevalence of asymptomatic C. trachomatis infection was lower in women with mixed non-viral infections. The incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease was higher in the patients with mixed chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis, mixed chlamydial and HPV infections, and chlamydial monoinfection, incidence of spontaneous abortions was higher in the patients with mixed chlamydial and HSV infections, also with chlamydial monoinfection, incidence of ectopic pregnancy was higher in the patients with mixed chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis, also with mixed chlamydial and HPV infections. Chlamydial infection including cervicitis was frequently diagnosed in women with mixed chlamydial and HSV infections, also with chlamydial monoinfection.