Genital chlamydia infection

Genital chlamydia infections are among the most common sexually transmitted infections of the genitals.

Etiology
The cause of the disease is Chlamydia trachomatis. It is an intracellular parasitic bacteria, it includes 18 serotypes, of which A–C is the causative agent of trachoma, L 1-3 lymphogranuloma venereum and D–K are the causative agents of urogenital infections, conjunctivitis and pneumonia.

Clinical picture
The incubation period is 10-20 days. Infection is part of Reiter's syndrome: reactive arthritis, urethritis, conjunctivitis.
 * In women, it causes mucopurulent cervicitis, urethritis, bartholinitis, proctitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis. It is often without skin symptomatology. Tubal urethritis, ectopic pregnancy or cellular atypia on the cervix may occur.
 * In men, mucopurulent most often causes urethritis, as well as prostatitis, inflammation of the vas deferens, epididymitis and proctitis.
 * Infection of the newborn during birth occurs when passing through the cervical canal. It manifests as pneumonia from aspiration or purulent conjunctivitis, where there is a risk of complications of trachoma.

Diagnosis
In practice, a smear is made from affected mucous membranes, ejaculate or the first portion of urine. Direct evidence by ligase or polymerase reaction with a sensitivity of up to 98%.

Differential diagnosis
We distinguish other types of urethritis and vulvovaginitis.

Therapy
The drug of first choice is doxycycline, azithromycin. If necessary, erythromycin, clindamycin are used.

Course and prognosis
Early treatment is important, the prognosis is good. Reinfection and chronicity can lead to infertility.

Related arcticles

 * Urethritis:
 * Gonorrhea
 * Genital chlamydia infection
 * Mycoplasma infections of the genitals
 * Vulvovaginitis
 * Balanitis
 * Phimosis | Paraphimosis | m. Peyronie
 * The importance of chlamydia and mycoplasmas in perinatology