RESUMO
A prospective study to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic female genital tract Chlamydia trachomatis infection was performed on 167 women at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados, West Indies and at a private clinic. The ELISA (Microtrak, chlamydia EIA, Syva, CA) method was used to detect Chlamydia trachomatis antigen. Nineteen (11.4% 95% CI 6.5-16.3) women were found positive. The efficacy of a single 1 gram dose of azithromycin given orally to 18 patients was tested after 4 weeks. One patient who was pregnant was given 500 mg erythromycin four times daily orally for 1 week. Only six patients (including the pregnant patient) reported for follow up. All six repeat swabs were negative for C. trachomatis antigen. The prevalence of 11.4% asymptomatic chlamydial infection in endocervical swabs in Barbadian women is in agreement with a previous study which reported a prevalence of 18.4% +/7.8%. Patient compliance was assured, using a single dose of azithromycin. It was found to be as effective as doxycyline and ciprofloxacin as reported by other workers.
RESUMO
Abdominal pain is a common symptom in pregnancy. Its etiology is diverse and diagnosis often poses a problem. Inflammatory disorders of extra-uterine origin such as appendicitis should always be considered as a possible cause. Three cases of appendicitis complicating pregnancy managed at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados during the year 1993 are documented. Two presented in the antenatal period and the third postpartum. The clinical manifestations and the difficulties encountered in diagnosis are emphasised. (AU)