MAMBE-ANI Perpétue^1,, YEO Alain², KOUAME-SINA S. Mireille¹, BLAVO-KOUAME Ehui³, COULIBALY N’golo David¹, NGAZOA-KAKOU E. Solange¹

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a public health problem because of their transmissibility, morbidity and possible long-term complications. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common of these infections. It is generally asymptomatic and has an impact on fertility due to the lack of early detection and effective treatment. The aim of this retrospective study is to determine the prevalence of chlamydia trachomatis in patients in a public laboratory of Abidjan (Pasteur Institute of Côte d’Ivoire). A total of three thousand one hundred and nine samples (3109) biological specimens were collected and analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results revealed a prevalence rate of 2.4%. No statistically significant difference between male and female patients so CT occurs in both men and women. The sex most affected by Chlamydia infection is the male sex, in fact Men's positive rate (67,55%) is double that of women's (32,45%). The mean age of patients was 35.5±4.6 years in men and 28.5±3.4 years in women. The study showed a high positivity rate (37.85%) with urethral swabs, semen gave a positivity rate of 29.70% while vaginal swabs gave a positivity rate of (32.45%). Given the low sensitivity of urine samples for screening of Chlamydia infection in the study, urethral swabs could be used as the sample of choice for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis in men. The study provides recent data on chlamydia infection in Abidjan. Despite a relatively low prevalence (2.4%), chlamydia infection remains a major public health issue. The results highlight the importance of strengthening systematic screening using molecular methods in order to improve STIs prevention and control strategies.

Chlamydia trachomatis, Prevalence, PCR, Abidjan, Biological specimens