Chlamydia trachomatis, a Hidden Epidemic: Effects on Female Reproduction and Options for Treatment

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Author(s)
J. Carey, Alison
W. Beagley, Kenneth
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2010
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
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 ...
View more >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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View more >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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Journal Title
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology
Volume
63
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Chlamydia trachomatis, a hidden epidemic: Effects on female reproduction and options for treatment, American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, Volume 63, Issue 6, pages 576–586, June 2010, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00819.x
Subject
Immunology not elsewhere classified
Clinical Sciences
Immunology
Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine