Prevalence of genital chlamydial infection in symptomatic and asymptomatic Jordanian patients

OBJECTIVE: To detect Chlamydia trachomatis infection among 230 patients, 130 with signs or symptoms associated with urethritis, and 100 asymptomatic patients, attending the Jordan University Hospital urology clinic. METHODS: Routine urine examination and the leukocyte esterase test were done for each patient. C. trachomatis infection was detected using first-void urine specimens and a cryptic plasmid-based PCR technique specific for C. trachomatis. RESULTS: The prevalence of chlamydial infection was 4.6% among symptomatic patients with urethritis. The difference in prevalence was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05) between males and females, as well as in relation to their marital status. Two-thirds of the Chlamydia-positive patients also had urine positive for leukocyte esterase. CONCLUSION: The low prevalence of chlamydial infection in association with urethritis among Jordanian patients might be due to the conservative behavior of the Jordanian society towards free sexuality.