The Agent that Causes the Disease
According to the World Health Organization, Chlamydia STD is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Chlamydial infections are a group of etiologically related infections of anthroponotic and zoonotic nature caused by obligate pathogenic intracellular microorganisms of the genus Chlamydia. Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular parasites of small size (ET 300 nm), have two nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), a cell membrane corresponding to gram-negative bacteria, are capable of binary division during reproduction, and are sensitive to antibiotics.
How is it Transmitted?
Mechanisms of transmission of infection: contact – sexual and asexual (household infection) routes, and vertical – antenatal, intrapartum routes. The spread of chlamydia from foci located in the lower parts of the urogenital tract is facilitated by artificial termination of pregnancy, surgery, oral contraceptives, and the presence of intrauterine contraceptives.
Signs and Symptoms of the Disease
Chlamydia STD is characterized by polymorphism of clinical symptoms. The peculiarity of the course of the infection is the absence of any specific manifestations and pronounced clinical symptoms from the moment of infection. The disease, as a rule, is asymptomatic. The clinical manifestations of chlamydial infection depend on the virulence of the pathogen, the duration of the stay of chlamydia in the body, the topography of the lesion, the severity of local and general reactions of the organism. In some cases, chlamydia can cause exudative inflammation of the ducts and Bartholin glands. Cervicitis is observed as the primary and most frequent manifestation of chlamydial activity. In patients with cervicitis of chlamydial etiology, a characteristic symptom of the disease is the specific mucopurulent discharge from the genital tract. As a rule, with inflammation in the canal, women do not make complaints; sometimes, they indicate manifested vaginal discharge and vague pulling pains in the lower abdomen. In general, in 50– 70% of women, CC and cervicitis are asymptomatic. When studying the microecology of the vagina in women with urogenital infections, including chlamydial infections, bacterial vaginosis is often observed.
How is the Disease Treated?
Treatment should be complex and include correction of concomitant urogenital infection, intestinal dysbiosis, and disorders of the immune system. Antibiotics are central to the treatment of chlamydial infections. Since chlamydia is an intracellular parasite, the choice of drugs active against this microorganism is limited only to those that accumulate intracellularly. Tetracyclines, macrolides, fluoroquinolones possess these properties. During the chlamydial process, relapses and exacerbations may occur. If a patient is diagnosed with chronic persistent CC, it should be remembered that “defective” persistent forms can be reversed into normal ones. Such a patient may develop an exacerbation of the process, and he may become a source of infection. Thus, patients with a persistent form are subject to therapy using individual treatment regimens, as a rule, without the use of antibiotics, including corrective immune therapy.
How Can the Disease Be Prevented?
The best way to avoid spreading chlamydia is not to have sex or have sex with only one partner who has been tested and is not known to be infected. Always use a condom every time you have sexual intercourse. Water-based lubricated latex condoms can reduce the risk of spreading chlamydia. If you are allergic to latex, use water-based lubricated plastic (polyurethane) condoms. If you have more than one sex partner: Get an STD test every time you change sex partners or are worried about the possibility of contracting an STD, even if you have no symptoms. Get tested regularly for chlamydia and other STDs especially after a new partner. Some Facts about the Disease all sexually active people can get chlamydia. The risk of infection in girls is especially high since their cervix is not fully formed. About 75% of new cases occur in women under 25. By the age of 30, approximately 50% of sexually active women have chlamydia. Sexually active men have the highest risk of infection between the ages of 20 and 24. You cannot get chlamydia through kisses, hugs, dishes, baths, towels.
References
Meyer, T. (2016). Diagnostic procedures to detect Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Microorganisms, 4(3), 25.
O’Connell, C. M., & Ferone, M. E. (2016). Chlamydia trachomatis genital infections. Microbial Cell, 3(9), 390.
Svigals, V., Blair, A., Muller, S., Sahu Khan, A., Faktaufon, D., Kama, M.,… & Dean, D. (2020). Hyperendemic Chlamydia trachomatis sexually transmitted infections among females represent a high burden of asymptomatic disease and health disparity among Pacific Islanders in Fiji. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14(1), e0008022.
World Health Organization. (2016). WHO guidelines for the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis.