Comparison of two molecular methods for diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular microorganism responsible for several diseases. It is considered the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 92 million new cases of C. trachomatis occur globally every year. An estimated 3 to 4 million new cases are diagnosed every year in the United States, 5 million in Western Europe, and 16 million in sub-Saharan Africa. According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 75% of new cases in the United States are diagnosed in asymptomatic women. The sequelae of chlamydial infection in women are severe and can lead to serious complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain. Chlamydial genital infections have also been reported to increase human immunodeficiency virus transmission and influence the development of human papillomavirus-induced adenocarcinoma. In addition, pregnant women infected with C. trachomatis put their children at risk for conjunctivitis and pneumonitis through mother-to-child transmission. In men C. trachomatis is associated with non-gonococcal urethritis and epididymitis. In the male high-risk group, 50% are asymptomatic with mild symptoms. Today, sexually transmitted diseases are major and ever-expanding public health and social problems because of an increased rate of C. trachomatis infection in both the female and male population within the sexually active 20- to 30-year-old group . Several hypotheses may explain the rise of chlamydial infections, including changes in sexual behavior and insufficient knowledge of sexual life and sexual health. Moreover, the use of more sensitive tests may contribute to the rising rates. In Northern Sardinia as well, the problem is rising among young people. For this reason, screening programs must be implemented to prevent morbidity. Furthermore, a rapid diagnosis of the microorganism is essential to reduce the transmission of infection, most of all in young people.