In the United States, chlamydial genital infection is the most frequently reported infectious disease, and the prevalence is highest in persons aged ≤ 25 years. Chlamydia can cause PID, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.
Asymptomatic infection is common among both men and women. Annual screening of all sexually active women aged ≤25 years is recommended, as is screening of older women with risk factors (e.g., those who have a new sex partner or multiple sex partners). Screening of sexually active young men should be considered and an appropriate sexual risk assessment should be conducted for all persons.
Diagnostic Considerations
Chlamydia urogenital infection in women can be diagnosed by testing urine or swab specimens collected from the endocervix or vagina. Diagnosis of Chlamydia urethral infection in men can be made by testing a urethral swab or urine specimen. Rectal Chlamydia infections in persons that engage in receptive anal intercourse can be diagnosed by testing a rectal swab specimen. Culture, direct immunofluorescence, EIA, nucleic acid hybridization tests, and NAATs are available for the detection of Chlamydiaon endocervical and male urethral swab specimens. NAATs are the most sensitive tests for these specimens and are FDA-cleared for use with urine. Patients’ whose condition has been diagnosed as chlamydia also should be tested for other STDs.
Treatment
Treating infected patients prevents transmission to sex partners. In addition, treating pregnant women usually prevents transmission of Chlamydia to infants during birth. Treatment of sex partners helps prevent reinfection of the patient and infection of other partners. Coinfection with Chlamydia frequently occurs among patients who have gonococcal infection; therefore, presumptive treatment of such patients for chlamydia is appropriate. Treatment regimens cure infections.
Source: CDC
Jun 10 2010