The characteristics of urinary tract infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis

The role of atypical pathogens, including Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) has been recently more and more emphasized as the causes of ethiological infections of urinary system. Chlamydias are parasites inside a cell. They are susceptible to environmental effects (dryness, sunlight, temperature). Their reproduction is a complex process: during the cycle two morphological forms can be distinguished: elementary bodies (EB) and reticulate bodies (RB). The most frequent infections caused by C. trachomatis are: inflammations of the urethra and bladder, inflammation of vagina, cervix, vaginal cavity and adnexa (for women) as well as inflammations of epididymis, testicles and prostate (for men). A very significant problem of C. trachomatis infections is its symptomless character. Incidence of C. trachomatis in the population is different in various countries and ranges from 2.1% to 10.9%, however in a group of patients with symptoms concerning genitourinary system it ranges from 4.1% to 37.5%. In the diagnosis of C. trachomatis infections the following methods are used: method of conventional cultivation on McCoy's cells (nowadays sporadically used), immunofluorescent techniques, immunoenzymatic assays, serological examinations and genetic techniques. In treatment of Chlamydia infections the following groups of antibiotics are used: macrolids, tetracycline and chinolons. Treatment of C. trachomatis infections is difficult and longlasting. Currently many hopes are put in C. trachomatis vaccine, and specialist laboratories are at work on it.