Chlamydia trachomatis as a Current Health Problem: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infections (STIs) worldwide. It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), which is an obligate intracellular bacterium. In some cases, it can occur in coinfection with other parasites, increasing the pathologic potential of the infection. The treatment is based on antibiotic prescription; notwithstanding, the infection is mostly asymptomatic, which increases the risk of transmission. Therefore, some countries have implemented Chlamydia Screening Programs in order to detect undiagnosed infections. However, in Portugal, there is no CT screening plan within the National Health Service. There is no awareness in the general healthcare about the true magnitude of this issue because most of the methods used are not Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology-based and, therefore, lack sensitivity, resulting in underreporting infection cases. CT infections are also associated with possible long-term severe injuries. In detail, persistent infection triggers an inflammatory milieu and can be related to severe sequels, such as infertility. This infection could also trigger gynecologic tumors in women, evidencing the urgent need for cost-effective screening programs worldwide in order to detect and treat these individuals adequately. In this review, we have focused on the success of an implemented screening program that has been reported in the literature, the efforts made concerning the vaccine discovery, and what is known regarding CT infection. This review supports the need for further fundamental studies in this area in order to eradicate this infection and we also suggest the implementation of a Chlamydia Screening Program in Portugal.

The Association Between Female Genital Schistosomiasis and Other Infections of the Lower Genital Tract in Adolescent Girls and Young Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in South Africa

“…However, Chlamydia was the exception. Chlamydia is often asymptomatic 32 . Young women with FGS and (asymptomatic) Chlamydia may have sought STI treatment (provided for free by the local clinics) more often than those without FGS.…”

Therapeutic Options for Chlamydia trachomatis Infection: Present and Future

“…Antibiotherapy persistence of Ct occurs due to the life cycle of this bacterium [ 82 ]. As previously detailed, the Ct life cycle has two distinct forms, with RB being the one that can go through growth arrest in stress cell conditions [ 6 , 11 , 83 ]. In line with this, several factors can contribute to this pathogen phase persistence, as reported by Mpiga and Ravaoarinoro [ 84 ].…”

“…When in the cytoplasm of the host cell, the bacterium reproductive cycle can start with the EBs conversion into RBs, allowing pathogen replication through binary fission [ 10 ]. Finally, RBs differentiate again into the EBs form, to allow their release into the extracellular microenvironment by cell lysis or extrusion [ 7 , 11 ]. Therefore, this immunogenic environment establishment and the biphasic life cycle of Ct seem to facilitate the therapeutic intervention.…”

Insights into innate immune cell evasion by Chlamydia trachomatis

“…C. trachomatis , a specific intracellular pathogen, is closely associated with human epidemic diseases. According to the World Health Organization, in 2020, an estimated 129 million people would be infected with C. trachomatis ( 1 ). There are 19 serovars of C. trachomatis .…”