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Vaginal and Rectal Clostridial Carriage Among Women of Reproductive Age in the United States

Completed
Conditions
Clostridium Sordellii
Clostridium Perfringens
Registration Number
NCT01283828
Lead Sponsor
Gynuity Health Projects
Brief Summary

This primary goals of this study are to: estimate the prevalence of Clostridium sordellii and Clostridium perfringens carriage in the rectum and/or vagina among women of reproductive age; estimate duration of carriage of the two clostridium species; and estimate the incidence of carriage at 2 weeks after a negative test.

Detailed Description

Since 2000, clostridial pelvic infections have claimed the lives of at least 17 young, previously healthy women. The majority of infections detected by molecular methods were among women testing positive for Clostridium sordellii only; in 5 cases, deaths were due to Clostridium perfringens only; and in 3 cases, the women were positive for both. These deaths occurred among both non-pregnant and recently pregnant women. Clostridium has been isolated from the vagina in 4-18% of normal, health non-pregnant women, with Clostridium perfringens the most common isolate. Most studies do not differentiate the small percentage of other clostridia present in the vaginal microenvironment. The vaginal carriage rate for Clostridium sordellii remains unknown, but is probably very low, less than 1%.

The correlates of clostridial carriage are unknown, and data on the etiology and lethality of clostridial infection among women of reproductive age are insufficient to guide possible courses of safe and effective prevention. In women infected with strains of Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium sordellii that produce the lethal toxin, it is not clear whether there is an effective treatment.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
4977
Inclusion Criteria
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent
  • Between ages 18 and 45
Exclusion Criteria

-Seeking emergency or oncological care

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Prevalence of C sordellii or C perfringens carriage in the rectum/vagina2 years
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Duration of carriage of C sordellii or C perfringens2 years
Incidence of C. sordelli or C. perfringens carriage at 2 weeks after a negative test2 years

Trial Locations

Locations (18)

Montgomery Women's Health Associates

🇺🇸

Montgomery, Alabama, United States

University of Arizona

🇺🇸

Tucson, Arizona, United States

Mt Sinai Medical Center

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains

🇺🇸

Boulder, Colorado, United States

UC Denver- Comprehensive Women's Health Center

🇺🇸

Denver, Colorado, United States

Women's Health Research Center

🇺🇸

Plainsboro, New Jersey, United States

Red River Women's Clinic

🇺🇸

Fargo, North Dakota, United States

University of Cincinnati

🇺🇸

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Downtown Women's Center

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

Whole Women's Health of Fort Worth

🇺🇸

Fort Worth, Texas, United States

Feminist Women's Center

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Family Planning Associates Medical Group

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Philadelphia Women's Center

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Dr Barry Troyan

🇺🇸

Houston, Texas, United States

Dairy Ashford Family Practice

🇺🇸

Houston, Texas, United States

Cedar River Clinic

🇺🇸

Seattle, Washington, United States

Downtown Gynecology

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

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