Isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis from Bartholin's ducts

Abstract

Exudate from Bartholin's ducts from 30 selected patients was investigated for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. N. gonorrhoeae were isolated from the duct exudate in 24 patients and C. trachomatis in 9. Concurrent infection of the ducts was present in 7 (29.2%); the remaining 2 patients were sexual contacts of men with non-specific urethritis. The duct exudate was mucopus in 7 patients, cloudy mucus in 1, and clear mucus in the other. Although contamination of the vulva by C. trachomatis derived from cervical or urethral infection cannot be excluded, 3 cases are described which suggest that a true infection of the duct occurs and may persist after gonococcal infection has been cured.