Chlamydia trachomatis--clinical significance and strategies of intervention

Chlamydia trachomatis is currently the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection in the industrialized countries. In sexually active persons less than or equal to 25 years of age, prevalences up to 20% have been noted; urethritis/epididymitis in men and cervicitis/endometritis/salpingitis in women being the most common clinical expressions. Despite uncomplicated genital chlamydial infections often being asymptomatic or clinically indolent, sequelae to their complications are of importance in constituting the most common cause of acquired infertility in humans. Their commonness, high proportion of asymptomatic disease, and their serious postcomplication sequelae, make the genital chlamydial infections a major health problem; active search for genital chlamydial infections seems to be the most important means of intervention.