Chlamydia trachomatis infection screening: yes or no?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v38i1.13190Keywords:
Chlamydia infections, Infertility, Pelvic inflammatory disease, Pregnancy, Ectopic, Mass screeningAbstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most frequent bacterial sexually transmitted infection. Usually, it is asymptomatic but can lead to severe consequences, especially in females, such as inflammatory pelvic disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. The global prevalence is about 3,8% in women and the majority of cases happen in 15-24 years-old people. Diagnosis is made with nucleic acid amplification technology. Several countries already have Chlamydia trachomatis infection screening programs that have shown benefits in decreasing prevalence and reproductive complications. In Portugal, it is a mandatory notification disease but there are no formal recommendations to guide diagnosis and treatment. Family doctors have a determinant role in sexually transmitted infections prevention and management. This paper intends to review the international recommendations and to highlight the benefits of Chlamydia trachomatis infection screening.
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