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Chlamydia trachomatis, a hidden epidemic: effects on female reproduction and options for treatment
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Chlamydia trachomatis, a hidden epidemic: effects on female reproduction and options for treatment

Alison J Carey and Kenneth W Beagley
American journal of reproductive immunology (1989), v 63(6), pp 576-586
Jun 2010
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00819.x
PMID: 20192953
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00819.xView
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open
url
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00819.xView
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use Chlamydia Infections - complications Chlamydia Infections - drug therapy Chlamydia Infections - epidemiology Chlamydia Infections - microbiology Chlamydia trachomatis - immunology Chlamydia trachomatis - pathogenicity Disease Outbreaks Female Humans Infertility - epidemiology Infertility - etiology Infertility - prevention & control Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - complications Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - drug therapy Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - epidemiology
The number of genital tract Chlamydia trachomatis infections is steadily increasing worldwide, with approximately 50-70% of infections asymptomatic. There is currently no uniform screening practice, current antibiotic treatment has failed to prevent the increased incidence, and there is no vaccine available. We examined studies on the epidemiology of C. trachomatis infections, the effects infections have on the female reproductive tract and subsequent reproductive health and what measures are being taken to reduce these problems. Undetected or multiple infections in women can lead to the development of severe reproductive sequelae, including pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal infertility. There are two possible paradigms of chlamydial pathogenesis, the cellular and immunological paradigms. While many vaccine candidates are being extensively tested in animal models, they are still years from clinical trials. With no vaccine available and antibiotic treatment unable to halt the increased incidence, infection rates will continue to increase and cause a significant burden on health care systems.

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43 citations in Web of Science
57 citations in Scopus

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Web of Science research areas
Immunology
Reproductive Biology
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