Detection of chlamydia trachomatis infection among the pregnant women attending a tertiary care hospital in Kerala - South India by polymerase chain reaction.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection and may influence pregnancy outcome.

Aims And Objectives: This study was conducted to assess Chlamydial infection during pregnancy by PCR.

Materials And Methods: Study group consists of patients who are attending the antenatal clinics. Endocervical swabs were collected from 300 patients.

Results: Off the 300 samples tested, 29 were positive as per PCR which used CT F : 5' CGT GTC GGC AAT CCT GCT GAT 3' and CT R : 5' GTC GAT AAC ATA GTC ACG ATA GTC 3'as the primers.

Conclusion: This suggests there is a prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in our population which is 10%. Hence, it should be noted as a significant public health problem especially among sexually active young women of child bearing age. Timely detection and prompt treatment of Chlamydial infection during pregnancy can eliminate its adverse outcomes.