THREE CASES OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS PROCTITIS FOUND BY FECAL OCCULT BLOOD

Abstract

Three cases of Chlamydia trachomatis proctitis were presented. All patients were anymptomatic. Colonoscopic examination revealed numerous granular lesions spreading over the rectum. Histological findings of the biopsy specimens showed hyperplasia of the lymphoid follicles and diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells. The antigen of Chlamydia trachomatiswas determined from rectal smear by enzyme immunoassay or polymerase chain reaction, and the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatisproctitis was made. All patients were treated with azithromycin hydrate. In case 1 and 3, colonoscopic findings improved remarkably and no Chlamydia trachomatisantigen was detected from a rectal smear after the medication. On the other hand, oral administration of azithromycin hydratewas not effective in case 2, where the colonoscopic findings did not improve, with sustaining positive Chlamydia trachomatis antigen from rectal smear.
Gstroenterologists should pay attention to Chlamydia trachomatisproctitis when they examine patients with lymphoid follicular proctitis.