[Epidemiology, clinical aspects and therapy of infections with Chlamydia trachomatis serotype D-K]

Chlamydia trachomatis serotype D-K is one of the most important pathogens of communicable diseases. 3 to 5 million new infections are observed annually in the USA. 10% to 30% of young sexually active persons in the age group 15 to 20 years are affected. The organism was isolated from 20% to 30% of patients attending dispensaries for sexually transmitted diseases, 5% to 10% of gynaecological outpatients, 1% to 8% of pregnant women and 0% to 5% of asymptomatic control persons. In men, C. trachomatis was found in 30% to 70% of patients with urethritis (15% to 25% simultaneously with gonorrhoea), in 30% to 60% of persons suffering from nongonoccocal urethritis and in 65% to 70% with postgonoccocal urethritis. 20% of newborns from mothers with positive cultures develop pneumonia and 37% conjunctivitis. Complications such as endometritis, salpingitis, periappendicitis, perihepatitis, ectopic pregnancy, premature birth, proctitis, cystitis, deferenitis, epididymitis, reactive arthritis, morbus Reiter, conjunctivitis, pneumonia (in infants and adults) may cause long lasting disease and may leave behind irreversible sequelae. Treatment with tetracyclines or erythromycin is always effective.