CD-ROM Today 1996 January/CD-ROM Today 1996 January.iso/dp/0359/03592.txt

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$Unique_ID{BRK03592}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Chlamydia}
$Subject{Chlamydia Chlamydia Trachomatis Gonorrhea Syphilis Trachoma Pelvic
Inflammatory Disease PID}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1987, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

390:
Chlamydia

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Chlamydia) is not the name
you expected.  Please check the SYNONYMS listing on the next page to find
alternate names, disorder subdivisions, and related disorders covered by
this article.

Synonyms

     Chlamydia Trachomatis

Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:

     Gonorrhea
     Syphilis
     Trachoma
     Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.

Chlamydia is a sexually-transmitted bacterial infection with symptoms
similar to those of Gonorrhea.  Until recently it was identified primarily
when Trachoma (an eye infection) appeared as a symptom.  Initially, the
symptoms of Chlamydia are usually mild and may not be recognized.  Although
rarely fatal, Chlamydia may have serious consequences if left untreated.
Sexually active people with multiple sex partners are especially at risk.
Since many people with Chlamydia do not realize that they have the infection,
they may not seek treatment until serious complications occur.  Meanwhile,
they may have unknowingly spread the disease to others through sexual
activity.  Treatment with antibiotics is generally successful, but prevention
should be the primary course of action.

Symptoms

Initially, Chlamydia has no noticeable symptoms.  When symptoms eventually
appear in males, they usually consist of painful urination and a watery
discharge from the penis.  In some cases, this infection can cause
epididymitis, an inflammation of part of the testicles, anal inflammation
(proctitis) in homosexuals, or Reiter's Syndrome, a serious Arthritis-like
condition.  (For more information on Reiter's syndrome, choose "Reiter" as
your search term in the Rare Disease Database).

In women, Chlamydia often begins as an infection of the cervix.  Itching
and burning of the genitals, vaginal discharge, dull pelvic pain and bleeding
between menstrual periods may occur.  The infection may then spread to the
uterus and/or fallopian tubes.  This can subsequently cause infertility and
presents a danger of ectopic pregnancy (the development of an embryo in the
fallopian tubes instead of the uterus).  An inflammation throughout the
female reproductive system (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) can be a consequence
of delayed treatment of this bacterial infection.

Women who have chlamydia infections during pregnancy have a high risk of
spontaneous abortion or stillbirth.  Infants who contract the infection from
their mothers at birth can get an eye infection (conjunctivitis) and/or
pneumonia.  Prompt treatment of the infection in newborns is essential.

Causes

Chlamydia is a common infection caused by the Chlamydia Trachomatis bacteria.
It is transmitted through sexual intercourse.  The infection can also be
transferred from infected mothers to newborn infants.

Affected Population

According to public health officials, three million Americans contract
Chlamydia each year.  It is estimated that of the 155,000 infants born to
women with Chlamydia each year, 75,000 develop an eye infection
(Conjunctivitis) and 30,000 get pneumonia.  It is further estimated that 60
to 80 percent of women and 10 percent of men with Chlamydia have no symptoms.
As a result, they don't seek treatment and may possibly continue to spread
the infection.

Chlamydia is one cause of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women.
More than 200,000 women are hospitalized in the United States each year with
PID and one million are treated for the condition on an outpatient basis.  An
estimated 11,000 American women become sterile each year and 3,600 have
ectopic pregnancies (the embryo develops in the fallopian tubes instead of
the uterus) as a consequence of Chlamydia.

Related Disorders

The following two venereal disorders are similar to Chlamydia.  Comparisons
may be useful for a differential diagnosis.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted (venereal) disease.  It is an
infectious disease of the urethra, cervix and rectum and may involve other
areas of the body and may give rise to serious complications.  Gonorrhea is
caused by spread of the gonococcus organism "Neisseria gonorrhoeae".  It is
without apparent symptoms at first.  This disorder can occur along with
Chlamydia in some cases.  Penicillin is the treatment of choice for
Gonorrhea, but ampicillin, amoxicillin, tetracycline or spectinomycin are
other antibiotics that may be effective therapies.

Spread of gonorrhea can be limited through tracing and treating anyone
who has been in sexual contact with an infected person.  Condoms can prevent
transfer of the infection between sexual partners.  Prompt medical treatment
and followups are recommended for persons who suspect they may have
Gonorrhea.

Syphilis, also known as Lues, is a sexually transmitted contagious
disease caused by the spirochete "Treponema pallidum".  It is characterized
by periods of active skin manifestations and by years of symptomless
inactivity (latency).  The congenital type of Syphilis can be passed from
mother to fetus.

Syphilis progresses through various stages with different degrees of
severity.  Penicillin is the treatment of choice.  However, other antibiotics
are used especially since recently some forms of Syphilis seem to resist
penicillin.  Vision and hearing complications should be treated concurrently.
Spread of the infection can be limited through tracing and treating anyone
who has been in sexual contact with an infected person, and with the use of
condoms during sexual intercourse.  Prompt medical treatment and followups
are recommended for persons who suspect they may have Syphilis.  Untreated,
the disease may cause neurological damage, dementia, heart disease and
eventually death.

The following two disorders may be associated with Chlamydia as
secondary characteristics.  They are not necessary for making a differential
diagnosis.

Trachoma can be a symptom of non-venereal infection by the Chlamydia
bacteria which affects the eyes.  It is thought to be transmitted by
contaminated fingers rubbing the eyes, infected insects, or anything coming
in contact with the eyes which could harbor the Chlamydial bacteria.  This
disorder is the chief cause of blindness in underdeveloped economic areas of
the world.  In the United States it has been identified in the mountains of
Tennessee and Kentucky, the delta of the Ohio River, South Dakota, Nebraska
and Iowa.  The symptoms include swelling of the eyelids with discharge, and
enlargement of the tear-producing (lacrimal) glands and nearby lymph nodes.
Prompt medical attention is required to avoid blindness which can result when
Trachoma is left untreated.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), also known as Salpingitis, is an
infection of the female reproductive organs that can be caused by a variety
of bacteria including the Chlamydia type.  This term may include infection of
the cervix (cervicitis), the lining of the uterus (endometritis), the
fallopian tubes or the ovaries (oophoritis).  This disorder occurs mostly in
sexually active women under age 25 and can be caused by bacterial infection,
intrauterine devices (IUD's), infection during childbirth, or abortion with
contaminated devices.  Symptoms may include severe lower abdominal pain,
fever, vomiting and/or discharge from the cervix.  Treatment with
antibiotics, or in later stages with surgery, is recommended.

For more information on sexually transmitted diseases, see articles in
the Prevalent Health Conditions/Concerns area of NORD Services and the AIDS
Update.

Therapies:  Standard

Use of condoms by men during sexual activities can help limit the spread of
Chlamydia.  However, medical authorities agree that the key to stopping the
disease is better detection.  Once it is identified, Chlamydia can be cured
with antibiotics.  Pregnant women and anyone who is being treated for another
sexually transmitted disease should consider being tested for Chlamydia.
Sexually active people with multiple sex partners are at greater risk for
contracting the infection.

Therapies:  Investigational

Scientists are trying to develop a vaccine to prevent Chlamydia infection.
In the meantime, more widespread testing for the infection is recommended to
help limit the spread of the disease and enhance early identification and
treatment.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
September 1989.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate.  Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Chlamydia, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     [phone]

     Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
     1600 Clifton Road, NE
     Atlanta, GA  30333
     [phone]

For local treatment centers contact any state or local health department
listed in your area phone directory.  These agencies can refer you to testing
facilities for venereal diseases.

References

CHLAMYDIA IS NOT A FLOWER.  IT'S A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE WITH
DEVASTATING EFFECTS:  Abbott Health Care Worldwide; Abbott Laboratories,
Public Affairs, Dept. 383P, Abbott Park, IL  60064.

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL GUIDELINES FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF
CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS INFECTIONS.  SUMMARY AND COMMENTARY:  T.A. Bell, et
al.; Ann Intern Med (April 1986, issue 104(4)).  Pp. 524-526.

INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATIONS OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS AND CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS
INFECTION WITH ADVERSE PREGNANCY OUTCOME:  M.G. Gravett, et al.; JAMA
(October 10, 1986, issue 256(14)).  Pp. 1899-1903.

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND THERAPY OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS INFECTIONS:  W.R.
Bowie; DRUGS; (May 1984, issue 27(5).  Pp. 459-468.