Chlamydia trachomatis: an important sexually transmitted disease in adolescents and young adults

Chlamydia trachomatis is being recognized as an important sexually transmitted disease in adolescents and young adults. This report reviews the recent literature regarding the many clinical entities encompassed by this organism; this includes urethritis and cervicitis as well as epididymitis, salpingitis, peritonitis, perihepatitis, urethral syndrome, Reiter syndrome, arthritis, endocarditis, and others. It is emphasized that many aspects of chlamydial infections parallel those of gonorrhea, including incidence, transmission, carrier state, reservoir, complications, (local and systemic), and others. A paragonococcal spectrum of sexual chlamydial disorders is discussed as well as effective antibiotic therapy. This microbiological agent must always be considered if venereal disease is suspected by the clinician in teenagers or adults. Mixed infections with Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are common in both males and females. It may be preferable to treat gonorrhea with tetracycline to cover for this possibility.