Aetiology of sexually transmitted infections in Maputo, Mozambique

Authors

  • Tomas Francisco Zimba Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Medical Microbiology Research Laboratories, NRMSM, UKZN and Central Hospital de Maputo, Mozambique
  • Teke Apalata Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Willem Adrian Sturm Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Medical Microbiology Research Laboratories, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Prashini Moodley Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Medical Microbiology Research Laboratories, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.1179

Keywords:

sexually transmitted infections, syndrome aetiologies, Maputo

Abstract

Introduction: The study sought to ascertain the prevalence of the aetiological agents of genital discharge and genital ulcer diseases in Maputo, Mozambique.

Methodology: Consecutive consenting patients presenting to the Centro de Saúde do Porto in Maputo between March and April 2005 with genital discharge syndrome and/or genital ulcer diseases were recruited.  Specimens were collected for the identification of STI pathogens.

Results: Of 346 recruited patients, 164 were male and 182 female. The prevalence of confirmed single aetiological agents for male urethritis was as follows: N. gonorrhoeae, 35%; C. trachomatis, 10%; and M. genitalium 4%. For vaginal discharge, N. gonorrhoeae was found in11% of the women tested, followed by C. trachomatis (6.5%), bacterial vaginosis (34%), and T. vaginalis (2%). The prevalence of genital ulcers was as follows: Herpes simplex virus type 2, 62%; H. ducreyi 4 %; and C. trachomatis biovar LGV, 4%. Five percent of patients with genital ulcers had a positive syphilis serology (RPR ≥ 1:8 and confirmed by TPHA) and 35% of all tested patients were HIV-1/2 infected.

Cases of mixed infections were present in 5%, 11% and 3% of patients with male urethritis, vaginal discharge, and genital ulcers respectively.  

Conclusion: The classic sexually transmitted infection aetiologies are still prevalent in Maputo. The study highlights the need for a periodic surveillance to inform syndromic management protocols. 

Author Biographies

Tomas Francisco Zimba, Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Medical Microbiology Research Laboratories, NRMSM, UKZN and Central Hospital de Maputo, Mozambique

Senior Registrar in Medical Microbiology, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Teke Apalata, Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal

  • Specialist Medical Microbiologist & Lecturer: Department of Infection Prevention & Control and Medical Microbiology Research Laboratory, School of Pathology and Laboratory-Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
  • Infection Prevention and Control Specialist, Quality Assurance Directorate, Office of Standards Compliance, National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa

Willem Adrian Sturm, Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Medical Microbiology Research Laboratories, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Chief Specialist, Professor of Microbiology and Infection Control, Dean of the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, and Interim Director of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for TB and HIV (K-RITH), Director of the Genital Ulcer Diseases Research Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Prashini Moodley, Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Medical Microbiology Research Laboratories, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Chief Specialist, Professor of Microbiology and Infection Control, Head of the Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Medical Microbiology Research Laboratories, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal

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Published

2010-09-16

How to Cite

1.
Zimba TF, Apalata T, Sturm WA, Moodley P (2010) Aetiology of sexually transmitted infections in Maputo, Mozambique. J Infect Dev Ctries 5:041–047. doi: 10.3855/jidc.1179

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 01: January 2011

Section

Original Articles

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