Epidemiological studies on urogenital infection with chlamydia trachomatis and its sequelae for human fertility

During the 20th century much of the pathogenic properties of Chlamydía trachomatis have become clear. Its epidemiological behavior as a sexually transmitted agent has also been elucidated to a great extent. In the western hemisphere, of which The Netherlands is a part, it may be assumed that about five to ten percent of the sexually active females are asymptomatically harboring a urogenital chlamydial infection. In sexually active men the prevalence of asymptomatic infection is somewhat lower, around five percent.These figures vary, of course, with the persons sexual behavior. In the female the risk as a consequence of her asymptomatic infection is not exactly quantified, but the most serious one is salpingitis, occurring frequently in prostitutes in their first year as such. Long range sequelae are ectopic pregnancy and infertility due to tubal abnormalities. In the male there are at present no serious sequelae known, as our study also indicates. It seems therefore that the burden of urogenital chlamydial disease is carried solely by the female of the human species. ... Zie: General conclusion