The most common sexually transmitted disease in males and females, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. In females, it may result in infertility.
A bacterium that causes trachoma and urogenital diseases in humans and psittacosis in birds, which can be transmitted to humans. It is currently a major cause of sexually transmitted disease.
General term for a group (genus) of intracellular parasites that cause a wide variety of diseases. C. pneumoniae causes respiratory infections (e.g., pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis) and is transmitted by respiratory secretions. Most cases are relatively mild and respond to either tetracycline or erythromycin antibiotics. Serious infections may result, especially in the elderly. C. psittaci is common in birds and animals and may cause disease (psittacosis) in persons exposed to pets, poultry, and meat processing. Psittacosis is similar to a viral illness with fever and malaise, but may resemble mononucleosis. Untreated (with tetracycline-type drugs), the fatality rate may rise as high as 20%. C. trachomatis is the most common cause of sexually transmitted vaginal and urethral disease (vaginitis, urethritis) in both sexes in industrialized countries. A test for specific antibodies is available. The organism responds to several antibiotics; treatment is important as it may be transferred to the infant during birth, resulting in blindness.
The most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is usually transmitted by sexual activity. The bacteria that cause the infection are carried in the blood, semen, or vaginal fluid of an infected person, entering the body via contact with these fluids.
A genus of viruslike microorganisms that cause disease in man and birds. Some Chlamydia infections of birds; can be transmitted to man. Chlamydia trachomatis is the causative agent of the eye disease trachoma. The organisms appear to resemble bacteria but are of similar size to viruses and all are obligate parasites.
A genus of micro-organisms which includes those responsible for non-specific urethritis (NSU), ornithosis, psittacosis and trachoma. Chlamydia trachomitis can be sexually transmitted by both men and women, and in developed countries is the most significant cause of NSU. Chlamydia and Neisseria gonorrhoea are the major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease, which affects around 100,000 women a year in the UK, most of whom are under 25 years of age. Chlamydia does not usually cause symptoms unless it spreads to the upper genital tract; such spread, however, may cause miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. The incidence of chlamydia has doubled in the past five years and the incidence of ectopic pregnancies has also been rising. The infection may well be the main preventable cause of ectopic pregnancy, one estimate being that no fewer than half of such pregnancies are linked to chlamydia infection — a figure that is probably much higher in young women. A preventive campaign in Sweden found that’ over 15 years, the incidence of ectopic pregnancies fell at the same rate as that of chlamydia diagnoses. Chlamydia infection responds well to antibiotic treatment, but education of the public about this often ‘silent’ infection, coupled with screening programmes, would go a long way to reducing its incidence.
A bacterial genus of intracellular parasites of the family Chlamydiaceae with several recognized species, of which only C. trachomatis infects humans. The organisms are characterized as bacteria because of the composition of their cell walls and their reproduction by binary fission, but they reproduce only within cells. These species cause a variety of diseases.
The most common bacterial STD, causing inflammation of the urethra. Symptoms include burning during urination, painful scrotal swelling, and pelvic inflammatory disease.
A common bacterial STD that may have no symptoms and if untreated can cause infections of the urinary tract in men and infections of the reproductive organs in women.
Sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterial infection that can cause significant damage to the reproductive system and may occur without symptoms.
Prevalent in the United States, there exists a frequently encountered bacterial infection transmitted through sexual contact, widely recognized as the most common sexually transmitted disease. This infection often coexists with gonorrhea and is noteworthy for its tendency to remain asymptomatic in the majority of women.