The need for a chlamydial culture service.

Abstract

In a prospective study of unselected, female patients attending a sexually transmitted disease [STD] clinic 1 in 8 patients would have been erroneously declared free of infection in the absence of a chlamydial culture service. Chlamydia trachomatis is now accepted as a causative organism of non-specific urethritis and post-gonococcal urethritis in men and non-specific genital infection in women. Facilities for the isolation of C. trachomatis should be an essential aid in the management of women attending STD clinics. Male patients would benefit if such facilities were readily avaiable.