Chlamydia trachomatis testing Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology “Georgi D. Efremov”, MASA What is Chlamydia trachomatis? Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), a small gram-negative bacterium, is the most common cause of bacterial sexually transmitted disease in both men and women. A significant proportion of infected patients are asymptomatic, providing an ongoing reservoir for infection. The most frequent clinical manifestation of CT infection in men is urethritis, while the most common finding in women is cervicitis. How can you get Chlamydia trachomatis? People of all ages and both sexes can get CT. However, having sexual relations with several partners without using protection can greatly increase your chance of getting the disease. In addition, men and women under the age of 25 tend to have a higher risk of being infected. Additionally, pregnant women can pass the bacteria to their babies when they are born. If you are pregnant and there is a chance you have CT, you should ask to be tested. What are the symptoms of Chlamydia trachomatis? Many patients do not notice the symptoms of infection with CT. If symptoms do appear, it is usually one to three weeks after you have been infected. Some of the most common symptoms include: burning feeling during urination, discharge from the penis or vagina, pain in the lower abdomen, painful sexual intercourse in women, pain in the testicles in men. In some women, the CT infection can spread to the fallopian tubes, which may cause fever, nausea, and abnormal bleeding between periods. Some patients get CT infection in the rectum, in which case the main symptoms are often discharge, pain, and bleeding from this area. If you have had oral sex with someone who has CT infection, you may get this infection in your throat, which can lead to painful swallowing, a cough and a fever. How is Chlamydia trachomatis diagnosed? Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, EIA). This quick test finds substances (CT antibodies) that trigger the immune system to fight chlamydia infection. Direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA). This quick test finds CT antigens. Chlamydia culture. A culture is a special cup that allows the chlamydia bacteria to grow. This test is more expensive, and the results take longer (5 to 7 days) than the other tests. The culture must be done in a lab. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT). These tests find the genetic material (DNA) of Chlamydia trachomatis. These tests are the most sensitive tests available. That means they are very accurate and that they are very unlikely to have false positive test results. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is an example of a nucleic acid amplification test. This test can also be done on a urine sample. Who should be tested?  Women with mucopurulent cervicitis (defined as a purulent or mucopurulent cervical discharge, easily induced cervical bleeding, and sometimes inflammation in the zone of ectopy), pelvic inflammatory disease, and/or urethral syndrome (defined as acute dysuria and pyuria in the absence of bacteriuria).  Sexually active women aged 25 years and under.  Women over 25 with a new sex partner or more than one sex partner.  Pregnant women.  Sex partners of persons with CT infection.  Men with urethritis or epididymitis.  Young sexually active men (aged 29 years and under) seeking routine health care should be evaluated for asymptomatic CT infection. Patient reporting receptive anal sex should be tested for rectal chlamydial infection. CT test performed at RCGEB CT assayPrice (МКД) CT DNA PCR detection3500 Literature: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Atlanta, Ga, USA: Department of Health and Human Services; Sexually transmitted disease surveillance, Tech. Rep. Analysis method performed at RCGEB Chlamydia trachomatis diagnosis at RCGEB is performed by commercial AMPLICOR Chlamydia trachomatis detection kit (Roche Molecular Diagnostics, Pleasanton, California, USA), which detect the DNA of the bacterium. Material for testing Urine sample in sterile tubes. RCGEB, 2013