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Sex Transm Infect 2008;84:19-22 doi:10.1136/sti.2007.027409
  • Chlamydia

Chlamydia trachomatis seroprevalence atlas of Finland 1983–2003

  1. E Lyytikäinen1,2,
  2. M Kaasila1,
  3. P Koskela1,
  4. M Lehtinen1,4,
  5. T Patama3,
  6. E Pukkala4,
  7. K Tasanen2,
  8. H-M Surcel1,
  9. J Paavonen5
  1. 1
    National Public Health Institute, Oulu and Kuopio, Finland
  2. 2
    Department of Dermatology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
  3. 3
    Department of Geography, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland
  4. 4
    University of Tampere, School of Public Health, Tampere, Finland
  5. 5
    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
  1. Heljä-Marja Surcel, National Public Health Institute, PL Box 310, 90101 Oulu, Finland; helja-marja.Surcel{at}ktl.fi
  • Accepted 14 September 2007
  • Published Online First 2 October 2007

Abstract

Objectives: To study Chlamydia trachomatis seroprevalence trends and geographical distribution over time in Finland.

Materials and methods: First pregnancy serum samples were retrieved from the Finnish Maternity Cohort serum bank for the subcohort of 8000 women stratified by calendar years (1983–1989, 1990–1996, 1997–2003) and age at time of sample withdrawal (14–22 and 23–28 years). C trachomatis antibodies were determined using standard major outer membrane protein peptide ELISA. The spatiotemporal variation of C trachomatis seroprevalence rates was visualised by a series of maps.

Results: A decreasing C trachomatis seroprevalence trend from 1983 to 2003 was seen for both women under 23 years of age (20.8% to 10.6%) and 23–28-year-old women (19.1% to 12.5%). Constant clusters were seen around the largest cities and in eastern Finland although seroprevalence rates were generally decreasing throughout the country.

Conclusions: Only a few population-based serological studies have been undertaken on C trachomatis epidemiology over time. In Finland the seroprevalence of C trachomatis is decreasing all over the country, albeit with small clusters remaining.

Footnotes

  • Funding: The study was supported by the Helsinki and Oulu University Hospitals.

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Contributing authors: EL participated in interpretation of findings and writing of the manuscript. MK conducted data analysis, provided statistical advice and participated in writing of the manuscript. PK participated in the design of the study and monitoring of procedures. ML participated in the design of the study, interpretation of findings and writing of the manuscript. TP conducted the geographical information systems mapping of data. EP participated in writing of the manuscript. KT participated in writing of the manuscript. HMS participated in overseeing laboratory issues, monitoring laboratory procedures, interpretation of findings and writing of the manuscript. JP participated in interpretation of findings and writing of the manuscript.

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