Search

Purpose: To determine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in two urban communities in Delhi and to correlate the presence of HSV-2 seroprevalence with sociodemographic profile, risk factors and presence of other reproductive tract infections (RTIs). Methods: Men and women aged between 15-49 years from an urban slum and an urban middle class colony were invited to participate in the study. They provided interview information; blood for HSV-2, HIV and syphilis serology; first void urine specimens for diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infection; and genital specimens for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis and trichomoniasis. Results: The prevalence of HSV-2 seropositivity was found to be 7 and 8.6% in men and women, respectively. HSV-2 seropositivity was found to be significantly associated with urban middle class community and older age. No statistically significant correlation was found between HSV-2 seropositivity and other laboratory-confirmed RTIs. Conclusions: The findings of our study indicate a relatively low prevalence of HSV-2 seropositivity and other sexually transmitted infections in the two communities that were studied.

Chlamydia trachomatis is currently recognized as one of the most common sexually transmitted pathogen and a major cause of perinatally acquired infection. Vertical transmission of infection from mother to the infant may result in the development of conjunctivitis and pneumonia. The study was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence of C. trachomatis pneumonia and to identify its clinical manifestations. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from 50 infants (4-24 weeks of age) with pneumonia. C. trachomatis was detected in nasopharyngeal aspirates by direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) staining. Using DFA, C. trachomatis was found in 12.5% of infants. C. trachomatis pneumonia was associated with the age group of 4-12 weeks, cough of more than 7 days duration, presence of conjunctivitis, milder grade of pneumonia and absence of fever. The study showed a high prevalence of C. trachomatis pneumonia in infants.

Purpose: This study was carried out to analyze the epidemiology of gonorrhea based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing, auxotyping and serotyping in New Delhi, India. Methods: Sixty gonococcal isolates from males with urethritis, females with endocervicitis and their sexual contacts were studied. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, auxotyping and serotyping for epidemiological characterization. Results: We observed nine antibiotic resistance patterns. Ninety-eight percent of isolates were resistant to cipros oxacin, while 20% isolates were penicillinase producing N. gonorrhoeae (PPNG) and 18.3% isolates were tetracycline resistant N. gonorrhoeae (TRNG). Eight auxotypes were observed, of which the NR (non-requiring), proline requiring and arginine requiring were most common auxotypes. On the basis of serotyping alone, the gonococcal isolates could be differentiated into three serogroups and 18 serovars. Serogroup WI represented 46.7% and WII/III represented 51.7% of isolates and one strain was WI and WII/WIII serogroup combination. When results of auxotyping and serotyping were combined (A/S) 29 A/S classes could be identiÞ ed. The most prevalent A/S classes were NR/Aost, NR/Arost, Pro/Aost and Pro/Boprt. Conclusions: Although A/S typing had the highest discriminatory index, isolates recovered from index case and their sexual contacts were found to be identical by all typing methods.