Weinstock Article

UCSF Abstinence Article

STD Costs Article

Dicker Article

Tietz STI Article

Screening Coverage Article

AJPM Article

The following articles discuss HPV associated with cervical cancer and

implications for cancer screening: (Acrobat Reader required Download Acrobat Reader 5.0 free)

     HPV Types and Cervical Cancer

     HPV and Cervical Cancer Screening

Recent Journal Articles papers evaluating non-culture methods for detecting clamydia in men and women. The data were generated from the CDC's cooperative agreement

RPA 455:  (Acrobat Reader required Download Acrobat Reader 5.0 free)

Johnson, Robert E., et al.  (2000)  "Evaluation of Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests as Reference Tests for Chlamydia Trachomatis Infections in Asymptomatic Men."  Journal of  Clinical Microbiology.  December.  38(12): 4382-4386.

Black, Carolyn, M., et al.  (2002)  "Head to Head Multicenter Comparison of DNA Probe and Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests for Chlamydia Trachomatis Infections in Women Performed with an Improved Reference Standard."  Journal of  Clinical Microbiology.  October.  40(10): 3757-3763.

Click on the link below to download a recent paper (October 2002) discussing the persistence of gonococcal DNA in the reproductive tract following treatment and the implications for detection by nucleic acid amplifications tests (NAATs).  The authors describe the lack of gonococcal DNA detection by an amplification test in urine and vaginal specimens by 6 and 9 days, respectively, following therapy. There were no significant differences in male and female urine with respect to detecting gonococcal DNA after therapy. This follows a similar study by Dr. Gaydos and associates (J. Infect. Dis. 1998; 177: 417-424) demonstrating the detection of chlamydial DNA, by NAATs, up to 3 weeks post-treatment. In comparing the results from both papers, chlamydial DNA persists longer than gonoccocal DNA following successful treatment.

Laura H. Bachmann, et al.  (2002)  "Duration of Persistence of Gonococcal DNA Detected by Ligase Chain Reaction in Men and Women following Recommended Therapy for Uncomplicated Gonorrhea." Journal of Clinical Microbiology.  October. 40(10): 3596–3601.

Click on the link below for a recent article on the cost-effectiveness of dual treatment for women co-infected with chlamydia and gonorrhea:

Gift, Thomas L, et al.  (2002).  " A Cost-effectiveness Evaluation of Testing and Treatment of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection among Asymptomatic Women Infected with Neisseria Gonorrhoeae."  Sexually Transmitted Diseases.  September.  29:9; 542-551.

Click on the following ink for information on Partner Notification among Asymptomatic Chlamydia Trachomatis Cases, by Means of Mailed Specimens.  

van Valkengoed, Irene GM, et al.   "Partner Notification among Asymptomatic Chlamydia Trachomatis Cases, by Means of Mailed Specimens."  British Journal of General Practice.  August.  652-654.  

Current Research Activities

Region I Infertility Prevention Project Specimen Adequacy Study

The Laboratory Subcommittee of the Region I Infertility Prevention Project created the Chlamydia Specimen Adequacy Study. The purpose of the study is to determine if specimens taken for chlamydia tests are adequate based on the reading of smears to determine the presence of columnar or cuboidal epithelia cells. Specimens are determined to be adequate if greater than or equal to 20 columnar/cuboid cells are present on the smear. A further objective of the study is to compare the results of the specimen adequacy evaluation with the results of testing for Chlamydia. Prior to study start-up representatives from the STD Program, Public Health Laboratories and Chlamydia Coordinator conduct site visits for orientation to study including regulatory procedures.

As of October 1999, 603 specimens were submitted from 14 sites with an adequacy rate of 92%. There were 9 positives and all of these smears from the positive samples were found to be adequate.


Each year the Center for Disease Control and Prevention allocates a specified amount of the Infertility Prevention Project funds to conducting research in the area of STD Prevention and Control. 


Chlamydia Related Research Project Updates, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of STD Prevention

Risk Factors for Recurrent Chlamydia Infection in Adolescent and Young Adult Women

Principal external/local investigators: Gail Bolan, Hunter Handsfield, Kim Oh, Dennis Fortenberry, Patty Kissinger, Wil Whittington

Principal ESB investigator: Julia Schillinger

This project is a component of a multisite cooperative agreement conducted from 1994-1998 in 5 research centers in the US: Birmingham, AL; Indianapolis, MN; New Orleans, LA; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA.

This project sought to identify the relative risk and attributable risks associated with potential risk factors for recurrent chlamydial infections in adolescent and young adult women: 1) inadequate treatment of women at initial infection; 2) inadequate treatment of current male partner(s); and 3) acquisition of new male sex partner(s) who may be infected.

The research questions that this project attempted to answer are: What are the risk factors for early recurrent persistent chlamydial infections in women 15-34 years old? What is the role of treatment failure, reinfection, and new infection in women with a second chlamydial infection? What are the epidemiologic, clinical, behavioral, and biologic risk factors associated with recurrent chlamydial infections in women and their sex partner(s)?

There were 1195 women enrolled in the study. At a visit one month after treatment, 6.3% of women were found to be infected with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). Failure to take all medications as directed and resumption of sexual activity since initial treatment were independently associated with being Ct positive at that visit. Among women who returned for a follow up visit 4 months after initial treatment, 7.1% of women were found to be Ct positive. Overall, 13.4% of women were positive again for Ct infection within a median of 4.5 months of their treatment for an initial Ct infection. This does not include an additional 4% of women who gave a history of treatment for Ct during the interval between the first and second study visits. At the one month follow up visit, approximately 40% of the infections that occurred among the study cohort may be attributed to resumption of vaginal sex. Many of these infections are likely to have resulted from resumption of sexual intercourse with the same (presumably untreated) partner. This project has been submitted for publication.


Randomized Clinical Trial of Partner-Delivered Therapy for Chlamydial Infections in Women

Principal external/local investigators: Gail Bolan, Hunter Handsfield, Kim Oh, Dennis Fortenberry, Patty Kissinger

Principal ESB investigators: Julie Schillinger, Lauri Markowitz, Ray Ransom

Other branches/agencies involved: Kathy Hutchins (SDMB) This study is a component of the Infertility Prevention Research Announcement (RPA 455). It is a randomized, controlled trial conducted from 1996-2000 in 5 research centers in the US: Birmingham, AL; Indianapolis, MN; New Orleans, LA; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA to determine if the substantial risk of early recurrent chlamydial infection among young women can be reduced by utilizing patient delivered therapy to their male partner(s). The study compares this alternative method to the traditional method of patient self-referral of male sex partner(s) to clinics for examination and treatment. Participants are rechecked for chlamydial infection by LCR urine assay at 1 and 4 month intervals and completion of questionnaires.

The research question that this project attempted to answer is: Can the risk of early recurrent chlamydial infection among young women be reduced by utilizing patient delivered therapy to their male sex partner(s)?

The study began in the fall of 1996 in 4 sites and spring of 1997 in the remaining site. In June of 1999, an external data monitoring committee recommended that the study be continued at four sites for an additional year. Thus far,1673 women have been enrolled; current follow up rates are 75% at 1 month and 62% at 4 months. Results by arms are blinded to investigator to prevent any bias. Results for this project are not yet available.

STD& Related  Publications

For complete Chlamydia and Gonorrhea lab guidelines, see CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: www.cdc.gov/mmwr  or www.cdc.gov/STD/LabGuidelines/

Or download here: 2002 CDC Lab Guidelines
(Acrobat Reader required Download Acrobat Reader 5.0 free)

For complete STD treatment guidelines, see CDC's 2002 Sexually Transmitted Diseases  Treatment Guidelines: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/rr5106.pdf

Or download here: 2002 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines
(Acrobat Reader required Download Acrobat Reader 5.0 free)

Current CDC Surveillance Reports can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/

The CDC Program Operation Guidelines for STD Prevention can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/program/

(GISP) Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project information can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/STD/gisp/

Increases in Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae--- Hawaii and California, 2001http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5146a1.htm

The syphilis elimination web site address is:  http://www.cdc.gov/stopsyphilis/

Click to download the latest information on Information on the Health Plan Employer Data Information Set (HEDIS) by the National Council of Quality Assurance:  

The State of Health Care Quality 2002

(Acrobat Reader required Download Acrobat Reader 5.0 free)

The Medical Association of Georgia website contains useful information and links to other websites with useful information on HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): http://www.mag.org/

Abortion Surveillance Information: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5109a1.htm

The APHL Association of Public Health Laboratories website contains information on upcoming Infectious Disease Conferences: http://www.aphl.org