Screening of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Men, Is It Necessary in Iran?

Abstract

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most prevalent causative bacteria in sexually transmitted infections with adverse effects, which almost remain asymptomatic in society. Objectives: This project designed to determine the prevalence of Chlamydial infection in men and comparing the related risk factors in two groups of referrals based on the study inclusion criteria. Materials and Methods: Two hundreds of men who attended in the Mehrad hospital in Tehran Iran were selected and classified into two groups (symptomatic and asymptomatic). 10 mL of first void urine from each person collected and tested by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of C. trachomatis cryptic plasmid gene. Results: In total, 8.5% of all subjects were positive (11% of symptomatic and 6% of asymptomatic men). Statistical analysis revealed an association between condom usage as a variable and infection in asymptomatic group (P <= 0.05). Conclusions: Findings of this study show that Chlamydial infection screening especially in males with urogenital symptoms is necessary (at least in Tehran) and we recommend more epidemiological studies in other cities of Iran.