Chlamydia trachomatis

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of three bacterial species in the genus Chlamydia, family Chlamydiaceae, class Chlamydiae, phylum Chlamydiae, domain Bacteria. C. trachomatis has only been found living inside the cells of humans, causing the following conditions:

In men
 * Prostatitis
 * Epididymitis

In women
 * Cervicitis
 * Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
 * Premature birth
 * Ectopic pregnancy
 * Pelvic pain, chronic or acute
 * Newborn eye (trachoma) or lung infection

In both sexes
 * Urethritis
 * Infertility
 * Proctitis (rectal disease and bleeding)
 * Reactive arthritis
 * Trachoma

C. trachomatis has also been detected in some patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease. It may be treated with any of several antibiotics: azithromycin, erythromycin or doxycycline/tetracycline.

C. trachomatis was the first chlamydial agent discovered in humans. It comprises two human biovars: trachoma and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). Many, but not all, C. trachomatis strains have an extrachromosomal plasmid. Chlamydia species are readily identified and distinguished from other chlamydial species using DNA-based tests. Most strains of C. trachomatis are recognized by monoclonal antibodies [mAbs] to epitopes in the VS4 region of MOMP. However, these mAbs may also crossreact with the other two Chlamydia species, Chlamydia suis and Chlamydia muridarum.