Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in sexual contacts of gonorrhoea

Abstract

The British national and local clinic guidelines recommend epidemiological treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) in patients with gonococcal infection but not their contacts. We aimed to determine the prevalence of CT amongst all gonorrhoea contacts attending over a 30 months period through a retrospective notes review. Of 223 contacts, gonorrhoea was diagnosed in 110 (49.3%) while CT was diagnosed in 54 (24.2%). CT was significantly more prevalent in younger people [(37.8% of contacts <25 years versus 9.6% of contacts ≥25 years (P = 0.000)]. All patients with CT identified as heterosexual except one. Amongst heterosexuals, there was no significant difference in the prevalence between males and females, being 31.6% and 27.8% respectively (P = 0.5995). CT was prevalent in 29.1% of N. gonorrhoeae positive contacts and 19.5% of N. gonorrhoeae negative contacts (p = 0.0935). The high prevalence suggests that epidemiological treatment for CT in gonorrhoea contacts is indicated.