Chlamydial and Gonococcal Genital Infections: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) constitute one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide, leading to considerable morbidity, mortality, health expenditures, and stigma. Of note are the most common bacterial STIs, chlamydial and gonococcal infections, whose etiological agents are Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), respectively. Despite being usually asymptomatic, in some cases these infections can be associated with long-term severe complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and increased risk of other STIs acquisition. As the symptoms, when present, are usually similar in both infections, and in most of the cases these infections co-occur, the dual-test strategy, searching for both pathogens, should be preferred. In line with this, herein we focus on the main aspects of CT and NG infections, the clinical symptoms as well as the appropriate state-of-the-art diagnostic tests and treatment. Cost-effective strategies for controlling CT and NG infections worldwide are addressed. The treatment for both infections is based on antibiotics. However, the continuing global rise in the incidence of these infections, concomitantly with the increased risk of antibiotics resistance, leads to difficulties in their control, particularly in the case of NG infections. We also discuss the potential mechanism of tumorigenesis related to CT infections. The molecular bases of CT and NG infections are addressed, as they should provide clues for control or eradication, through the development of new drugs and/or effective vaccines against these pathogens.

Deciphering the Puzzle: Literature Insights on Chlamydia trachomatis-Mediated Tumorigenesis, Paving the Way for Future Research

“…When EBs are internalized, they are transformed into RBs, following rapid binary fission, culminating in replication within 24 h after the infection. Then, the majority of RBs revert to EBs, and finally, mature EBs are released from the host cell, either through cell lysis or extrusion mechanisms, allowing the infection cycle to start in the neighboring cells [ 19 , 92 , 93 ]. Importantly, during this process, CT has the ability to evade the immune system, culminating in chronic inflammation and leading to cell damage [ 73 ].…”

“…Importantly, CT is an obligate intracellular microorganism that primarily infects epithelial cells in mucosal tissues; nonetheless, it can also infect phagocytes present at the site of infection [ 17 , 18 ]. The most preferred anatomical region of infection is the genital tract, however there are also extragenital infections, and systemic disease with widespread symptoms can occur [ 19 ]. In detail, this complication is linked to Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) strains of Chlamydia trachomatis , namely L1, L2, or L3, which primarily infects the lymphatic tissues causing potentially irreversible sequelae if adequate treatment is not provided [ 20 ].…”

Evaluation of Anti‐Chlamydial Effect of a Synthetic Linear Peptide

“…[1] The pathogenesis of Chlamydia involves its ability to infect and replicate within host cells, particularly epithelial cells lining the genital or ocular mucosa. [2,3] Upon infection, Chlamydia can exhibit an intracellular life cycle, allowing it to evade the immune response and persist within host cells. This characteristic contributes to its ability to cause chronic or recurrent infections if left untreated.…”