Objective: To run a screening for genital chlamydiosis in adolescents living in the town Brno as the first action of this type in the Czech Republic and to use the results of the screening for the elaboration of recommendations for running similar actions on the national scale. Design: Prospective epidemiological study. Setting: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno; Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, 1 st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General Faculty Hospital, Prague; Section of Public Health, Municipal Authorities of Brno; Bioplus Ltd., Brno; Regional Hygienic Services, Brno; Faculty Hospital Brno; with technical assistance of teachers and students of two Medical Assistant Schools in Brno. Methods: Students (337 females and 15 males) of two Medical Assistant Schools, older than 18 years, were used as probands within the study. Sediments of the first portions of urine col lected from the individual probands were tested for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis using the direct fluorescent test, ELISA, and the ligase chain reaction. Results: Positive reactions in any of the three tests were found in 31 of the 352 probands (8.8%). Positive and doubtful reactions in the direct fluorescent antibody test were obtained in 11 (35.5%) and 3 (9.6%) of the 31 reactors, respectively. The corresponding values for ELISA were 9 (23.0%)and 8 (25.8%), respectively, and those for the ligase chain reaction 3 (16.6%) and 3 (16.6%), respecti- vely. The overall prevalence of 8.8% is higher than the European mean. Conclusions: The first limited screening for genital Chlamydia infections in the Czech Republic was run in Brno. Urinary samples were collected from 337 females and 15 males aged approxima- tely 18 years. The presence of Chlamydia trachomatis in the urinary sediment was demonstrated by the direct fluorescent test, ELISA, and the ligase chain reaction. The established prevalence of 8.8% exceeded the European mean (3.9%).

        Key words: C. trachomatis, non-invasive screening