Incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis detected by PCR in women’s endocervical samples in Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the major causative agents of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in men and women, but the greatest impact of infection occurs in the reproductive system of women, causing, among other problems, infertility. Objective: To estimate the incidence of C. trachomatis detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in endocervical samples from women in Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Methods: A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted from May to November 2017. Endocervical cell samples were collected from 126 women that receive medical assistance at three primary healthcare units and one gynecology clinic in the city. The samples of endocervical material were evaluated for the diagnosis of C. trachomatis by the PCR technique. Prior to sample collection, a Cancer Information System (SISCAN) standard questionnaire was answered by the participants. Fisher’s exact test and chi-square test were used to evaluate the association between infection and the variables of the questionnaire. Results: From the 126 endocervical samples analyzed, 39.7% were positive for C. trachomatis. The average age of the participants was 31.7 years old. From the 118 women who did not show changes in the cervix, 43 were positive for C. trachomatis, which reinforces the asymptomatic character of the infection. There was no significant association between endocervical infection by C. trachomatis and age, use of contraceptive pill, time of last pap test and signs of STI. Conclusion: The incidence of C. trachomatis infection in the endocervical samples from these women can be considered high, which emphasizes the importance of measures designed to clarify and prevent this important STI.