Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections in an Asymptomatic Population in Dakar, Senegal
Babacar Ndiaye *
Medical Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Dakar, Senegal.
Abdoulaye Seck
Medical Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Dakar, Senegal and Bactériology-Virology Laboratory, Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar University, Senegal.
Abdou Diop
Medical Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Dakar, Senegal.
Assane Dieng
Bactériology-Virology Laboratory, Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar University, Senegal and Bactériology-Virology Laboratory, Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, Senegal.
Thierno Abdoulaye Diallo
Medical Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Dakar, Senegal.
Chantal Mahou
Medical Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Dakar, Senegal.
Philippe Dubrous
Medical Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Dakar, Senegal.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a major public health problem. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections are often asymptomatic, thus leading to a high risk of transmission in subjects with risky behaviors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of these 2 pathogens in an asymptomatic population.
Methodology: A retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in the medical biology laboratory of the Pasteur Institute of Dakar over a period of 23 months in asymptomatic patients who were seen as part of a travel check-up. A first-draft urine sample was collected and tested for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae by molecular biology techniques. Data entry and statistical analysis were performed by Excel 2010 and SPSS 2.0 respectively.
Results: A total of 5012 patients were included and the overall prevalence of STIs related to these 2 pathogens was 3.8% (194/5012).
The prevalences of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae were 2.7% (137/5012) and 1.0% (55/5012), respectively. The age group most affected was [20-29 years] with 58.4% (80/137; p=0.0001) for C. trachomatis and 45.5% (25/55; p=0.471) for N. gonorrhoeae. Co-infection with these two germs was observed in 0.3% (18; p=0.001) of patients.
Conclusion: STIs with C. trachomatis and/or N. gonorrhoeae can be asymptomatic and continue the chain of transmission. Thus, for a better prevention of STIs due to these pathogens, it is important to screen, educate and sensitize the populations considered at risk.
Keywords: Asymptomatic carriage, C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, PCR