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Chlamydia trachomatis infection
What's new
Updated 2024 WHO guidelines for the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection .
Background
Overview
Definition
C. trachomatis infection is a common bacterial STI characterized primarily by urethritis in males and endocervicitis in females.
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Pathophysiology
The obligate intracellular bacteria C. trachomatis is responsible for the disease and may be transmitted through oral, vaginal or anal sex.
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Disease course
The most common manifestations include urethritis in men and mucopurulent cervicitis, urethritis, and endometritis in women. Disease progression may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which in pregnancy results in premature delivery and puerperal and neonatal infections.
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Prognosis and risk of recurrence
C. trachomatis infection during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of perinatal mortality (RR 1.84, 95% CI 1.15-2.94).
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Guidelines
Key sources
The following summarized guidelines for the evaluation and management of Chlamydia trachomatis infection are prepared by our editorial team based on guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC 2024,2021), the World Health Organization (WHO 2024), the International Union Against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI/BASHH 2016), and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF 2014).
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