Women were enrolled into the study provided they attended before 1100 h on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of each week during the study period, these being the days when a member of the team could collect specimens and ensure their processing in the laboratory the same day. Women with severe genital warts were excluded because of the bleeding and discomfort associated with obtaining specimens from them, but women were otherwise unselected and enrolment continued until 100 had been investigated.All of the women enrolled in the study gave their consent for specimens to be collected.
DATA, SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND LABORATORY TECHNIQUESAfter a history taking and a general medical examination, the cervix and vaginal walls were inspected and bimanual vaginal examination was carried out. Special note was taken of any obvious discharge, bleeding, ulcers, warts and erosions.Two endocervical swabs were taken, one was used to inoculate Thayer-Martin agar for selection of gonococci and the other was inoculated into chlamydia transport media. Two high vaginal swabs were also collected, one being inoculated into transport media ("Transcult", BBL, USA) for maintenance of gardnerella and streptococcus, and the other into Diamond's medium for trichomonas. A urethral swab was taken and inoculated onto Thayer-Martin medium. Blood was then collected for syphilis serology.
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