A total of 215 women patients attending the STD clinic were evaluated in an attempt to isolate the different microorganisms in sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Mycoplasmas (30.22%), Candida species (20.00%), Trichomonas vaginalis (wet mount study; 15.81%), beta haemolytic streptococci (13.48%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (9.30%), Staphylococcus aureus (13.95%), inclusion bodies of Chlamydia trachomatis (11.60%) and Gram negative organisms (9.30%) were isolated from these patients. Sera of all patients screened for HBsAg by ELISA showed a carrier rate of 12.5 per cent; 29.8 per cent sera were reactive in the VDRL test at the dilutions varying from 1:4 to 1:64.
PIP: The incidence of 10 sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in 215 prostitutes attending a STD clinic was determined by culture and other standard techniques. A control group of 100 women attending an outpatient family planning clinic in L.T.M. Medical College, Bombay, matched for age and socioeconomic level was the reference. The organisms assayed, the percent of study group found positive, and the percent of controls found positive were: M. hominis, 11.2 and 0.0%; U. urealyticum, 19.1 and 12.0%; Candida to species level, 20.0 and 70.%; beta-hemolytic streptococci, 13.5 and 3.0%; group B streptococci, 6.7 and 0.0%; T. vaginalis, 15.8 and 3.0%; C. trachomatis (by inclusion bodies), 11.6 and 1.0%; coagulase-positive S. aureus, 13.95 and 5.0%; N. gonorrhoeae, 9.3 and 0.0%; and Gram negative bacteria, 9.3 and 1.0%. The VDRL (Venereal Disease Reference Laboratory) seropositivity was 29.5% in STD patients. HBsAG (hepatitis B surface antigen) were present in 12.5%. Most of the women had vaginitis, cervicitis, vulvitis or warts with secondary infections. These incidence rates were discussed relative to several other Indian surveys.