HSV-1 was the major cause of genital infection by Herpes simplex virus in the women included in this study. No association was found between HSV infection and the socio-demographic characteristics or some classical risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases.

Chikungunya fever is an emerging arbovirus infection, representing a serious public health problem. Its etiological agent is the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Transmission of this virus is mainly vector by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, although transmission by blood transfusions and vertical transmission has also been reported. The disease presents high morbidity caused mainly by the arthralgia and arthritis generated. Cardiovascular and neurological manifestations have also been reported. The severity of the infection seems to be directly associated with the action of the virus, but also with the decompensation of preexisting comorbidities. Currently, there are no therapeutic products neither vaccines licensed to the infection CHIKV control, although several vaccine candidates are being evaluated and human polyvalent immunoglobulins anti-CHIKV had been tested. Antibodies can protect against the infection, but in sub-neutralizing concentrations can augment virus infection and exacerbate disease severity. So, the prevention still depends on the use of personal protection measures and vector control, which are only minimally effective.

Purpose This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection alone and in combination with human papillomavirus (HPV). Furthermore, the study investigates whether the CT infection increases the risk of contracting HPV and whether the presence of both pathogens is associated with a higher prevalence of cervical lesions. Methods Cervical samples of 1,134 asymptomatic women enrolled in a screening program for cervical cancer were analyzed. Two cervical specimens were collected from each patient, one for cytologic examination and the other for detection of CT by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using a primer pair which amplifies a specific sequence of the DNA plasmid. Results The overall prevalence rate infection was 10.9 %, being 10 % in the women with normal cytology, 13.8 % in those with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), and 25 % with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL). The infection by CT did not increase the risk of acquiring HPV infection. The higher prevalence of LSIL in women co-infected with HPV and CT is possibly due to HPV. Conclusion CT infection was more prevalent in younger women aged up to 32 years, who had an early onset of reproductive activity and a history of having had multiple sexual partners lifelong may be at a greater risk of acquiring infection of the genital tract by C. trachomatis.