The latest from the IVD industry December 2004. Chlamydia--pathogens that are still often underestimated.

Chlamydiae are bacteria living as intracellular parasites. Contemporary differentiation distinguishes nine species, of which three are relevant to human medicine. Infections with Chlamydia trachomatis are among the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases. Chlamydophila pneumoniae invade the respiratory tract, chlamydophila psittaci is the pathogen of ornithosis. Chlamydial infections frequently progress asymptomatically and hence remain untreated. Serious chronic secondary diseases are the outcome; they are protracted and cost intensive in treatment. Besides the detection of the pathogen, serology plays a vital part in diagnostics. The antibiotic therapy of chlamydial infections involves the application of tetracyclines, macrolides or chinolons. Chlamydophila pneumoniae in particular has become focus of medical interest as one of the causes of arteriosclerosis.