Diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection

Am Fam Physician. 2006 Apr 15;73(8):1411-6.

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis infection most commonly affects the urogenital tract. In men, the infection usually is symptomatic, with dysuria and a discharge from the penis. Untreated chlamydial infection in men can spread to the epididymis. Most women with chlamydial infection have minimal or no symptoms, but some develop pelvic inflammatory disease. Chlamydial infection in newborns can cause ophthalmia neonatorum. Chlamydial pneumonia can occur at one to three months of age, manifesting as a protracted onset of staccato cough, usually without wheezing or fever. Treatment options for uncomplicated urogenital infections include a single 1-g dose of azithromycin orally, or doxycycline at a dosage of 100 mg orally twice per day for seven days. The recommended treatment during pregnancy is erythromycin base or amoxicillin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend screening for chlamydial infection in women at increased risk of infection and in all women younger than 25 years.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amoxicillin / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Reactive / microbiology
  • Chlamydia Infections / diagnosis*
  • Chlamydia Infections / drug therapy*
  • Chlamydia trachomatis*
  • Erythromycin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Female Urogenital Diseases / diagnosis
  • Female Urogenital Diseases / drug therapy
  • Female Urogenital Diseases / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Male Urogenital Diseases
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / diagnosis
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / drug therapy
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / microbiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Erythromycin
  • Amoxicillin