Clinical and laboratory screening of Chlamydia trachomatis in women at a university health service

Two hundred sexually active women were screened for genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection at a university health service using an enzyme immunoassay test. Fourteen had a positive test. Of these, 8 could have been suspected clinically to have infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. A visit for a specific complaint (rather than for a routine gynecological exam), younger age, use of birth control pills, and findings suggestive of cervicitis increased the likelihood of a positive test. Routine testing for chlamydia using the enzyme immunoassay test can easily and economically be done at a university health service. Routine screening detects a significantly higher number than tests performed only on clinical suspicion.