Chlamydia infections

Chlamydia trachomatis infections are the most common bacterial sexually transmitted diseases. They are associated with urogenital lesions and lymphogranuloma venereum. The organism also causes conjunctivitis and pneumonia in children. Chlamydia trachomatis infections have both a high prevalence and asymptomatic carriage rate, with frequent serious complications in both women and newborns. Complications of chlamydia infections in women include cervicitis, urethritis, endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease and increased incidence of ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Vertical transmission of the disease from the mother to the neonate during parturition can result in inclusion conjunctivitis and pneumonia. In men at least 40% of all cases of non-gonococcal urethritis are associated with chlamydia infections and epididymitis. Approximately 70% of women with endocervical infections and up to 50% of men with urethral infections are symptomatic.

Preventis will soon offer a rapid test for the diagnosis of Chlamydia infections.