CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS

CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS

Çisem Katılmış 21001235

Sude Demirtaş 21001217

COURSE CODE: MDCN241

COURSE COORDINATOR: Asst. Prof. Dr. Mehmet İlktaç

1
CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is a widespread sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterial

pathogen. The infection is highly prevalent globally, especially among sexually active young
individuals, and can be transmitted through various sexual activities. According to WHO, The
projected 128 million prevalent chlamydia infections result in an overall prevalence of 4.2% for
females and 2.79% for males, with the highest prevalence in the Americas and Western Pacific
Regions (13). Accurate diagnosis is crucial, and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are the
preferred method for detection. Treatment involves the use of antibiotics, and simultaneous
treatment of sexual partners is recommended to prevent reinfection. Prevention strategies include
safe sex practices, regular testing, and ongoing research for potential vaccines. Individuals under
the age of 25 face a greater risk of contracting chlamydia compared to older individuals,
primarily due to the presence of multiple risk factors that are more prevalent in this age group (4).
This article provides an overview of Chlamydia trachomatis, including general information,
symptoms, diagnosis, transmissions, risk factors, treatment, and prevention strategies.

Introduction

Chlamydia trachomatis is a gram-negative bacterium that belongs to the Chlamydiaceae family. It

is an obligate intracellular pathogen, meaning it can only survive and replicate inside host cells.
Chlamydia trachomatis is primarily transmitted through sexual contact and is one of the most
common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. It can infect both men and women,
causing a wide range of clinical manifestations and potential complications if left untreated.
Chlamydia trachomatis has a remarkable capacity to infect many anatomical locations, with the
urogenital tract, including the cervix in women and the urethra in males, being the most common.
One of the challenges associated with Chlamydia trachomatis is its often asymptomatic nature.
Early and accurate diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis is crucial for effective management and
prevention of complications. Comprehensive sexual health education, especially among at-risk
populations like sexually active young adults, is critical in avoiding the spread of chlamydia and
other STIs.

2
CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS

Symptoms

Chlamydia trachomatis infections in the early stages often present with minimal or mild
symptoms, which can easily be overlooked. This emphasizes the significance of regular screening
as a crucial step in detection. Approximately 70% of women and 50% of men infected with C.
trachomatis experience no symptoms in their genital region (13). However, when symptoms do
occur in women, they may include abnormal vaginal discharge, dysuria (painful urination), and
post-coital and intermenstrual bleeding. Men with symptomatic infections often present with
urethral discharge, dysuria, and occasionally testicular pain. It is important to note that C.
trachomatis infections can also occur at non-genital sites. In cases of rectal infection, individuals
may experience rectal discharge, pain, or the presence of blood in stools, although most cases are
asymptomatic. Oropharyngeal infections, on the other hand, rarely exhibit symptoms and may
manifest as mild sore throat or pharyngitis. Early detection through regular screening remains
crucial, particularly in cases where individuals may be asymptomatic but still capable of
transmitting the infection.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections typically involves laboratory testing to detect
the presence of the bacterium or its genetic material in clinical samples. Both direct and indirect
techniques are used in diagnostic procedures to find Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Assays
for direct pathogen detection, such as culture, antigen tests (EIA, direct fluorescent antibody
(DFA), and immune chromatographic RDTs), nucleic acid hybridization, and amplification tests,
were typically used to examine localized infections.

Transmission

The transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis primarily occurs through sexual contact, including
vaginal, oral, and anal intercourse. Additionally, it is important to note that during childbirth,
there is a risk of pregnant women transmitting chlamydia to their newborns, which can result in
pneumonia or severe eye infections in the infants. It is crucial to raise awareness about these

3
CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS

modes of transmission to promote safe sexual practices and encourage timely screening and
treatment to prevent the spread of Chlamydia trachomatis infections.

Risk Factors

Several common risk factors are associated with chlamydia infection. These include engaging in
sexual activity without barrier protection (such as condoms) with a partner who has chlamydia.
Unprotected sexual intercourse with a new partner also increases the risk of contracting the
infection. Additionally, having multiple sexual partners within the past 12 months is considered a
significant risk factor for chlamydia (2).

Treatment

Treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis typically involves the use of antibiotics. The most
commonly prescribed antibiotics for chlamydia include azithromycin and doxycycline.
Additionally, individuals diagnosed with chlamydia should inform their sexual partners so that
they can also seek testing and treatment to prevent reinfection or further spread of the infection.

Prevention

Chlamydia trachomatis infection can be addressed through a comprehensive approach. This

includes educating individuals at risk about safer sexual behavior, identifying asymptomatic and
symptomatic cases through regular screenings, providing effective diagnosis and treatment,
managing the sexual partners of infected individuals, and considering pre-exposure
immunizations for certain STDs. By implementing these strategies, we can improve the
prevention and control of Chlamydia trachomatis and other STDs.

4
CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS

Figure 1 : Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, TEM. Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM)
of Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria (purple) inside a cell (yellow).

Adopted From : https://media.sciencephoto.com/image/b2201714/800wm/B2201714-

Chlamydia_trachomatis_bacteria,_TEM.jpg

References

1. CDC – Chlamydia Treatment. (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Retrieved June 2, 2023, from www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/treatment.htm
2. Chlamydia and LGV guide: Risk factors and clinical manifestation. (2022, April 28).
Canada.ca. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from
www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-
transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines/chlamydia-lgv/risk-factors-clinical-
manifestation.html
3. Chlamydia cell biology and pathogenesis - PMC. (2016, April 25). NCBI. Retrieved June
2, 2023, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4886739/
4. Chlamydia trachomatis - Symptoms and causes. (2023, April 14). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved
June 2, 2023, from www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chlamydia/symptoms-
causes/syc-20355349
5. Chlamydia trachomatis: impact on human reproduction. (n.d.). PubMed. Retrieved June
2, 2023, from www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10582782/
6. Detailed STD Facts - Chlamydia. (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Retrieved June 2, 2023, from www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-detailed.htm
7. Gottlieb, S. L., Berman, S. M., & Low, N. (2010). Screening and treatment to prevent sequelae in
women with Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection: how much do we know?. The Journal of
infectious diseases, 201(Supplement_2), S156-S167.
8. Meyer, T. (2016, August 5). Diagnostic Procedures to Detect Chlamydia trachomatis
Infections. NCBI. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5039585/
9. Miller, K. E. (2006). Diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. American family
physician, 73(8), 1411-1416.
10. Paavonen, J., & Eggert-Kruse, W. (1999). Chlamydia trachomatis: impact on human
reproduction. Human reproduction update, 5(5), 433-447.

5
CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS

11. Read, T. D., Brunham, R. C., Shen, C., Gill, S. R., Heidelberg, J. F., White, O., ... & Fraser, C. M.
(2000). Genome sequences of Chlamydia trachomatis MoPn and Chlamydia pneumoniae
AR39. Nucleic acids research, 28(6), 1397-1406.
12. Rikihisa, Y. (2019, September 24). Chlamydial Infection From Outside to Inside.
Frontiers. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from
www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2019.02329/full
13. Untitled. (n.d.). World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved June 2, 2023, from
www.apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/246165/9789241549714-
eng.pdf;jsessionid=8D736D75A0B2479518AEA5ECCBA278BC?sequence=1
14. Untitled. (n.d.). World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved June 2, 2023, from
www.apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/246165/9789241549714-eng.pdf
15. World Health Organization. (2016). WHO guidelines for the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis.
16. Wyrick, P. B. (2010). Chlamydia trachomatis persistence in vitro: an overview. The Journal of
infectious diseases, 201(Supplement_2), S88-S95.