High prevalence of sexual Chlamydia trachomatis infection in young women from Marajó Island, in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

BackgroundChlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world. Approximately 80% of infected women are asymptomatic, although this infection can lead to serious complications in the female reproductive tract. Few data on Chlamydia infection are available in rural Amazonian communities.ObjectivesTo evaluate the prevalence of sexual C. trachomatis infection in women from Marajó Archipelago communities in the Amazon region of Brazil and to identify associated factors and genotypes.MethodsWe utilized amplification of the ompA gene by nested PCR. Positive samples were genotyped by sequencing. Study participants completed a questionnaire on social, epidemiological, and reproductive health variables. A Poisson regression was used to evaluate the degree of association of these variables with the infection.ResultsThe sexual infection by C. trachomatis was observed in 4% (16/393) of the subjects, and was more often found in women aged ≤25 (14.3%; 95% CI = 2.83–35.47; p <0.001), and in women with a household income of less than one Brazilian monthly minimum wage (5.2%; 95% CI = 1.33–11.37; p = 0.014). The ompA gene was sequenced in 13 samples, revealing F genotypes (38.4%, n = 5), D (23%, n = 3), E (15.3%, n = 2), Ia (7.6%, N = 1), J (7.6%, n = 1) and B (7.6%, n = 1).ConclusionsWe recorded a high prevalence of sexual infection by C. trachomatis in young and poor women from the interior of the Brazilian Amazon. This high prevalence and the frequencies of the main genotypes were similar to those found in major Brazilian urban centers. Our results reinforce the importance of the screening of this neglected infection, and the prevention of later sequelae in young women from rural and urban areas of Brazil.

High molecular prevalence of HPV and other sexually transmitted infections in a population of asymptomatic women who work or study at a Brazilian university

“…C. trachomatis prevalence in asymptomatic women has already been examined 26 , 27 . In studies conducted in different Brazilian regions, C. trachomatis genital infection rates varied and these differences may be related to the methodology of detection and the population profile 12 , 27 , 28 . The mean age among women infected with C. trachomatis in our study was low (25.7 years); this finding is in agreement with the majority of previous reports on the association of C. trachomatis infection and younger age in women 26 , 28 .…”

“…In studies conducted in different Brazilian regions, C. trachomatis genital infection rates varied and these differences may be related to the methodology of detection and the population profile 12 , 27 , 28 . The mean age among women infected with C. trachomatis in our study was low (25.7 years); this finding is in agreement with the majority of previous reports on the association of C. trachomatis infection and younger age in women 26 , 28 . Although most C. trachomatis cases are poorly symptomatic, a chronic and persistent infection may lead to severe complications for women’s health 2 , 20 .…”

Hepatitis C Virus among Female Sex Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted along Rivers and Highways in the Amazon Region

“…In the state of Pará (Amazon region), a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus infections (13.7%) and Treponema pallidum (36.9%) were detected in FSWs; the consumption of illicit drugs, unprotected intercourse, exemption of condoms for regular clients or those paying an extra fee, and more than five years of sex trade were all shown to be risk factors for acquiring these pathogens [30,35]. Although best known for its extraordinary biological diversity and environmental importance to the world, the Amazon region is also an underdeveloped area, with high levels of poverty, limited transport infrastructure, and inadequate health services, thus allowing the spread of various pathogens and the occurrence of numerous infectious diseases [30,[35][36][37][38]. Based on that, this study assessed FSWs in different locations in the Amazon region to estimate the prevalence of infections and factors associated with HCV exposure, as well as to determine the frequency of HCV genotypes and to assess the presence of RASs, aiming to provide consistent information for targeting control measures and prevention.…”

Incidencia de Chlamydia trachomatis y micoplasmas genitales en adolescentes de 10 a 19 años del Centro de Atención Integral del Adolescente de Colón, en los meses de julio a septiembre del año 2018

“…En el caso de C. trachomatis con 15 (28.8%) pacientes positivas para este microorganismo, 4 resultaron asintomáticas siendo un 26.7 % de la población; dato que concuerda con lo descrito por (Dos Santos et al, 2018), donde las infecciones por clamidia pueden ser asintomáticas hasta en un 80% de los casos.…”