An epidemiological evaluation of the use of microbiological tools for identifying gonorrhoea infection networks.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

An epidemiological evaluation of the use of microbiological tools for identifying gonorrhoea infection networks.

Int J STD AIDS. 1999 May;10(5):316-23. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/99288767
Pierce RL; Thomas JC; Sparling PF; Fisher W; Davis RH; Alcorn T; Cohen M; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University; of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7400, USA.

Abstract: We aimed to assess the utility of various techniques for identifying gonorrhoea infection networks. All residents of a non-metropolitan North Carolina county visiting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic during a 17-month period were screened for gonorrhoea. Infection networks were estimated by serovar type combined with antibiotic resistance, arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR), or temporal clustering. The residential addresses of infected patients were geocoded and mapped. Among 2 serovar types, the presence of distinguishing characteristics of a network, based on questionnaire data, was assessed with prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) relative to those not in the network. Twenty-five serovar types were identified among 759 gonorrhoea infections. In one serovar, the networks further delineated by temporal clusters correlated with particular AP-PCR types. In most instances, however, different typing techniques painted different network pictures. No refined serovar network stood out as having a particular set of characteristics that could be used to shape intervention. Teasing out an individual infection network with unique characteristics will require the development and use of other microbiological tools.

Keywords: JOURNAL ARTICLE Adult Age Factors *Bacteriological Techniques Condoms Contact Tracing Gonorrhea/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/*TRANSMISSION Human Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Marital Status Microbial Sensitivity Tests North Carolina/EPIDEMIOLOGY Polymerase Chain Reaction Risk Factors Rural Health Serotyping Sex Behavior Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
991030
A99A0962

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