Repeated chlamydia infections common among young sexually active women

Researchers call for improved male screening, antibiotic therapies and partner notification programs to address the high incidence of repeated chlamydia infections observed among young sexually active women in a recent study.

Reinfection played a role in most repeated infections, but many resulted from treatment failure, according to the researchers.

They enrolled 210 sexually active girls aged 14 to 17 years in Indianapolis. The study began in April 1999 and participants were followed until July 2009. Behavioral and STD assessments were conducted every three months for each study participant. These assessments included testing for STDs and questions about sexual partners, sexual frequency and condom use.

The researchers identified 478 episodes of chlamydia infection for an incidence rate of 34 episodes per 100 woman-years. One hundred seventy-six of the participants remained uninfected throughout the course of the study.

A total of 121 participants experienced more than one repeated infection, data indicated, forming a total of 268 episode pairs. The researchers assessed the 183 pairs for which complete data was available using an algorithm to determine the cause of repeated infection. They determined that 84.2% were "definite, probable or possible" reinfections; 13.7% were probable or possible treatment failures; and 2.2% persisted without documented treatment.

Batteiger B. J Infect Dis. 2009;201:42-51.