Public health policies and management strategies for genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection

Abstract

Genital Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmissible bacterial infection that is asymptomatic in the majority of infected individuals and is associated with significant short-term and long-term morbidity. The population prevalence of the infection appears to be increasing. C. trachomatis is of public health significance because of the impacts of untreated disease on reproductive outcomes, transmission of other sexually acquired infections, and the costs to health systems. At the individual level, C. trachomatis infection is readily treatable with antibiotics, although antibiotic resistance appears to be increasing. At the population level, public health control of spread of infection is more problematic. Approaches to control include primary preventive activities, increased access to testing and treatment for people with or at risk of infection, partner notification and treatment, and screening either opportunistically or as part of an organized population screening program. A combination of all of the above approaches is likely to be required to have a significant effect on the burden of disease associated with genital chlamdyia infection and to reduce population prevalence. The development of a vaccine for genital chlamydia infection could significantly reduce the public health burden associated with infection; however a vaccine is not expected to be available in the near future.

A multi-epitope vaccine based on <italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</italic> major outer membrane protein induces specific immunity in mice

“…*P , 0.05 means that significant differences were detected at the ratios of 40 : 1, 20 : 1, and 10 : 1, where the Trx-His-MOMP multi-epitope group vs PBS and Trx-His groups, respectively. murine chlamydial infections has evolved from being the focus of vaccine development and immune protection [9,35,36]. According to the detection of the antigen-specific isotype antibodies with an order of IgG2b .…”

“…Despite the availability of effective antimicrobial therapy, a distinct increase in the number of C. trachomatis infections has been observed over the last decade because of the high recurrence rate and drug resistance [7,8]. Vaccines have been considered to be the most effective means for preventing C. trachomatis infections and associated diseases [1,2,9], such as autoimmune diseases directly or indirectly caused by C. trachomatis infection [10][11][12]. Although efforts have been made throughout the years to develop a protective vaccine, there are no vaccines available which effectively prevent C. trachomatis genital infections.…”

Provision of chlamydia testing, and training of primary health care staff about chlamydia testing, across four European countries

“…General practitioners are potentially significant providers for chlamydia testing and screening [5–7]. Especially acknowledging the recent technological developments (e.g.…”

The anti-chlamydial activity of defensin-like proteins

“…trachomatis is of great public health significance because of the impacts of the untreated diseases on human reproduction. Cervicitis and urethritis commonly occur in women and about 40% of the untreated cases progress to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).Infertility results in 20% of the PID cases, while 18% of the women with this disease experience chronic pelvic pain, and 9% may suffer an ectopic pregnancy [2].…”

“…At the individual level, C. trachomatis infection can generally be treated effectively with antibiotics, though antibiotic resistance appears to be increasing [2]. At the population level, public health control of the infection is rather problematic.…”