Chlamydia Trachomatis DNA Detector

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1) What is Chlamydial infection?

This is a bacterial infection. Three species are pathogenic for human beings viz. Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Chlamydia trachomatis usually affects young sexually active women but can occur in both men and women and all age groups including neonates.

2) What is the mode of transmission?

It can be transmitted by various forms of sexual intercourse or to newborn babies during delivery. Various risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis infection include having sex with multiple partners, unprotected sex i.e., not using a condom while intercourse, previous history of any sexually transmitted infection and early age of sexual activity.

3) What are the symptoms of this infection?

In the majority of the cases, the patient is asymptomatic or has a very mild infection which is often overlooked. Major signs & symptoms include painful urination, pain during sexual intercourse, discharge from the penis in men & vagina in women, bleeding between 2 menstrual cycles, pain or swelling in testes, urethral discharge and pain, itching, bleeding or discharge from rectum. Additional symptoms include fever with chills, nausea, abdominal pain and lower backache. It can also result in eye infection like conjunctivitis, swelling, redness or discharge on coming in contact with infected body fluid. Following unprotected oral sex, it can lead to Chlamydial throat infection with symptoms like sore throat, dry throat, cough and fever.

4) How is the test done? (Vein/swab) - This test can be done by following methods:

I) By collecting an initial portion of the urine sample in a sterile container. This can be done in both males and females, or

II) swab collection from the vagina in females and urethra in males, or

III) Eye swab collection in case of Chlamydial infection of eyes.

5) What are the complications of this infection?

Sexually transmitted infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis include lymphogranuloma venerum, genito-urinary and ano-rectal involvement and associated complications. It may affect reproductive health and lead to infertility especially in females due to infection of fallopian tubes (causing scarring and obstruction), uterus and cervix and pelvic inflammatory disease. It also results in infection of the epididymis and prostate in males. Another dreadful complication is the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

6) Do neonates have any special risk concerning this infection?

Yes. Infants exposed during pregnancy and delivery may get infected. It can manifest as a serious eye infection or pneumonia. Eye infection, if untreated, can lead to loss of vision.

7) What is Trachoma?

It is a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis. Symptoms include pain, redness, mild itching & irritation of eyes and eyelids, mucus or pus discharge, swelling of eyelids and photophobia (sensitivity to light). If untreated, it can cause blindness. It is a contagious and communicable disease. It can easily spread if come in contact with a used handkerchief and secretions from the eyes, eyelids, nose or throat of an infected patient.

8) What is Reiter’s syndrome?

It is a type of inflammatory reactive arthritis that typically affects the joints, eyes (conjunctivitis or uveitis) and urethra or cervix. It develops in response to infection in another part of the body due to cross-reactivity. This occurs after the initial Chlamydial infection is cured or chronic infection is in remission. As a result, finding the cause of arthritis becomes difficult.

9) Can this test be done during menses?

Yes. Menstruation will not affect the results of this test, so it can be done during menses.

10) What is the importance of PCR testing in this infection?

PCR is a rapid and highly sensitive test to detect Chlamydia trachomatis from the cervical swab, urethral swab or urine. This is because; PCR detects the presence of infection at a genetic level by looking for the presence of DNA of the pathogen in the human body. In future times, the role of PCR is likely to increase in the field of diagnostics due to its excellent sensitivity and specificity.

11) Should the other sexual partner get tested if, one is positive?

Yes. If you are detected positive for infection, your sexual partner or partners should also be tested.

12) Is this infection treatable?

Yes. Chlamydial infections can be easily treated by antibiotic courses prescribed by the treating physician. Both the partners need to take the treatment as per directions given by the physician. To avoid re-infection, refrain from sexual intercourse till the treatment course is over. However, if the patient is suffering from any of the long-term complications discussed above, they may not always get completely reversed.

13) How can this infection be prevented?

Prevention is the most important key for all kinds of infection and they are always easy to follow. Chlamydial infection can be easily prevented by following safe-sex practices like using a condom, limiting the number of sexual partners and regular screening of infection if falling in a high-risk category.

14) Does PCR testing have any limitations?

PCR is a highly sensitive technique, but at times unexpected or paradoxical results can come. This can be due to contamination during sample collection, selecting inappropriate specimens or some kind of in-built or pre-existing PCR inhibitors in the specimen.

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