title: Chlamydial infections in urology.
abstract: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most frequent cause for sexually transmitted diseases in European countries. The organism has an intracellular habitat with a very specific life cycle. A variety of diagnostic tests have been developed with different sensitivity and specificity. Interpretation of these tests can sometimes be difficult. Diseases caused by C. trachomatis in men comprise urethritis, prostatitis, epididymitis, infertility and reactive arthritis. Especially in prostatitis, the exact role of C. trachomatis is still under debate for the technical difficulties localizing the pathogen to the prostate. For treatment, only some antibiotics are effective because of the intracellular habitat of the pathogen. Prevention of infection comprises treatment and screening efforts.
authors.affiliation: Urologic Clinic, Hospital St. Elisabeth, Straubing, Str. 23, 94315 Straubing, Germany. Wagenlehner@AOL.com
authors.forename: Florian M E
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Wagenlehner
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weidner
authors.forename: Kurt G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Naber
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology