Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmissible infection (STI) worldwide. Since the majority of the cases remain asymptomatic, lack of treatment can lead to serious sequels, principally in women. Previous studies at the University Hospital (period 2001–2009) reported a C. trachomatis prevalence of 2.1%. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of C. trachomatis infections in patients attending the University Hospital in the 2010–2015 period.

Methods All genital samples (cervical swabs, male urethral swabs and first void urine) taken from patients attending the University Hospital laboratory between 1/1/2010 and 31/12/2015 with indication of C. trachomatis detection were included in this study. C. trachomatis was detected by ompA nested PCR. Genotyping of C. trachomatis was done by PCR-RFLP.

Results A total of 2664 samples (1998 feminine and 666 masculine) were included in this study. Global prevalence of C. trachomatis was 2.25% (60/2664), 5.55% in males (37/666) and 1.15% (23/1998) in females. Among C. trachomatis positive patients, 56.8% of male (21/37) and 26.1% of female (6/23) patients were symptomatic. C. trachomatis prevalence was 13% at the STI clinic, 3.4% at the OBGYN clinic and 0.5% at the fertility program. Among male infected patients, 63.6% were under 30 years, and 47.8% of infected women were under 25 years. The most frequently detected genotype was E (35%) followed by D (21%) and F (13%).

Conclusion Global prevalence of C. trachomatis did not change respect the 2001–2009 period. Comparing to 2001–2009 period, an increase in the frequency of infection in males was observed (5.55% vs 3.29% p=0.07). Difference was observed in prevalence of infection in the OBGYN clinic vs Fertility Program (3.4% vs 0.5% p<0.05). Genotype distribution is similar to previously reported in this population and does not differ from international distribution. According to our results vulnerable populations for C. trachomatis infection are young and male symptomatic patients.