Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among sexually transmitted infection clinics patients

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections are a public health problem because of its high inci-dence and consequences on reproductive health. Our aim is to describe the socio-demographic, behavioral and clinical characteristics of patients with CT infection in order to adapt preventive interventions for the highest risk groups. Methods: Prospective case series of all patients diagnosed with CT between September 2016 and January 2019 in the reference STI clinics of Osakidetza (Basque Health Service) in Bizkaia (Spain) Results: 847 patients (88.2%) agreed to participate: 41% women, 33.8% heterosexual men and 25% men who has sex with men (MSM); 33% were immigrants and 26% were under the age of 25 (33% of the women). Only 20% systematically used condoms. 36% had previously had STI and 28% had simultaneously another STI. 55% of the infections were asymptomatic (70% among women). In MSM, the rectum was affected in 69.5% of cases, the urethra in 31.4%, and the pharynx in 14.5%. The cervix was affected in 86.5% of the women, the rectum in 17.6%, and the pharynx in 13.8%. A contact study was only carried out in 58% of cases. The reinfection rate at 4 weeks was 17% among those with criteria to perform a test of cure. Conclusion: Our results justify implement opportunistic screening in women under the age of 25 and young immigrants of both sexes, by taking genital and extragenital samples, as well as developing appro-priate guidelines for the notification and follow-up of contacts. (c) 2021 Sociedad Espanola de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiologia Clinica. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.