Prenatal chlamydial, gonococcal, and trichomonal screening in the Democratic Republic of Congo for case detection and management.

Prenatal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infections are associated with adverse birth outcomes. As rapid diagnostic tests become available, it is important to evaluate prenatal sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence, as well as the acceptability and feasibility of prenatal screening programs. We recruited 371 pregnant women from four clinics in Kisantu Health Zone, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from October 2016 to March 2017. Trained clinicians collected cervical swabs, and samples were tested by nucleic acid amplification for CT, NG, and TV using a GeneXpert® system. Those testing positive for an STI were treated and asked to return after 4–8 weeks for tests-of-cure. Screening for STIs was widely accepted (99%). STI prevalence at baseline was: CT, 3.2%; NG, 1.5%; and TV, 14%; treatment completion was 97%. Symptoms were reported among 34% of STI-positive women at baseline, compared with 37% of STI-negative women. Upon first test-of-cure, 100% of returning women were cured of CT (n= 10) and NG (n= 5), but only 47% were cured of TV. This study demonstrates the feasibility of implementing diagnostic STI testing for case detection and treatment among expectant mothers in DRC, with implications for maternal and birth outcomes

Urogenital Schistosomiasis and Sexually Transmitted Coinfections among Pregnant Women in a Schistosome-Endemic Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Schistosomiasis afflicts an estimated 10 million pregnant women in Africa annually. With mounting evidence of adverse impacts to reproductive health resulting from urogenital schistosomiasis, including increased transmission of HIV, further research on prenatal disease epidemiology is warranted, with implications for maternal and fetal health. Between October 2016 and March 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional study examining the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis and its association with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) other than HIV among pregnant women visiting antenatal clinics in Kisantu health zone, Democratic Republic of Congo. An extensive sociodemographic and clinical survey was administered to consenting participants, with urine samples and vaginal swabs collected to deduce active schistosomiasis and STIs, respectively. In total, 17.4% of expectant mothers were infected with Schistosoma haematobium, 3.1% with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), 1.4% with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and 14.6% with Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). Women infected with urogenital schistosomiasis were at significantly increased odds of harboring a CT, NG, or TV infection (adjusted odds ratio = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.5, 6.0), but reports of clinical symptoms were low, ranging from 17.2% of schistosomiasis to 30.8% of TV cases. Laboratory confirmation of schistosomiasis and STIs provided objective evidence of disease in a cohort with low symptomology where syndromic management may not suffice. Shedding light on local risk factors and associated coinfections of urogenital schistosomiasis can identify unique intervention opportunities for prenatal care in trematode-endemic regions and aid in reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes

Urogenital Schistosomiasis and Sexually Transmitted Coinfections among Pregnant Women in a Schistosome-Endemic Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Schistosomiasis afflicts an estimated 10 million pregnant women in Africa annually. With mounting evidence of adverse impacts to reproductive health resulting from urogenital schistosomiasis, including increased transmission of HIV, further research on prenatal disease epidemiology is warranted, with implications for maternal and fetal health. Between October 2016 and March 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional study examining the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis and its association with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) other than HIV among pregnant women visiting antenatal clinics in Kisantu health zone, Democratic Republic of Congo. An extensive sociodemographic and clinical survey was administered to consenting participants, with urine samples and vaginal swabs collected to deduce active schistosomiasis and STIs, respectively. In total, 17.4% of expectant mothers were infected with Schistosoma haematobium, 3.1% with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), 1.4% with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and 14.6% with Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). Women infected with urogenital schistosomiasis were at significantly increased odds of harboring a CT, NG, or TV infection (adjusted odds ratio = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.5, 6.0), but reports of clinical symptoms were low, ranging from 17.2% of schistosomiasis to 30.8% of TV cases. Laboratory confirmation of schistosomiasis and STIs provided objective evidence of disease in a cohort with low symptomology where syndromic management may not suffice. Shedding light on local risk factors and associated coinfections of urogenital schistosomiasis can identify unique intervention opportunities for prenatal care in trematode-endemic regions and aid in reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes