Genital tract chlamydia infection

Genital tract chlamydia infections are one of the most frequently reported sexually transmitted infections.

Many infected individuals are asymptomatic.

In women, there may be cervical inflammation or yellow, cloudy discharge from the cervical os, resulting in vaginal discharge.

In men, there may be a discharge from the penis.

Non-culture techniques such as the nucleic acid amplification test are available and are the preferred diagnostic method. Tests in men are performed on urine or urethral samples. Tests in women are performed on urine, cervical, or vaginal samples, which are either clinician- or self-collected.

Untreated or inadequately treated patients are at increased risk for ascending infection and further complications. Patients also risk spreading the infection to sexual partners and from mother-to-child during labour and delivery.

Urogenital chlamydia infection is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI; also known as sexually transmitted disease, STD) worldwide. The causative organism is Chlamydia trachomatis. Infection is usually asymptomatic in both men and women.[1]Torrone E, Papp J, Weinstock H. Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection among persons aged 14-39 years--United States, 2007-2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014 Sep 26;63(38):834-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4584673 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25254560?tool=bestpractice.com

In women, chlamydia infection tends to occur in the endocervical canal. Some women who have uncomplicated cervical chlamydia infection already have subclinical upper reproductive tract infections upon diagnosis. Symptoms may include intermenstrual or postcoital bleeding; an odourless, mucoid vaginal discharge; pelvic pain; or dysuria. In men, chlamydia infection can occur in the urethra, causing a penile discharge; or dysuria.

Untreated or inadequately treated chlamydia infections can lead to more serious problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in women, epididymitis and prostatitis in men, and reactive arthritis in all patients. Infants born to women with untreated chlamydia are at risk of neonatal conjunctivitis and pneumonia.