title: [Chlamydia trachomatis infections--a time for action?].
abstract: Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. In women it mainly occurs before the age of 25 years, while in men it can still be diagnosed till the age of 35 years. In Western Europe the prevalence of a Chlamydia trachomatis infection has been estimated, according to WHO data, as between 2.7% (Italy) and 8.0% (Island). A general screening strategy is now being discussed in Germany. A non-diagnosed and non-treated Chlamydia trachomatis infection and the resulting health problems have not only severe consequences for the individual but also results in major epidemiological and socio-economic public health problems. This issue is not only of extreme importance in health policy, but has also a major impact in family policy, especially in view of the declining birth rates and the demographic changes.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Klinikum Innenstadt, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany. ioannis.mylonas@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mylonas
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kirschner
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weissenbacher
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gingelmaier
authors.forename: E-R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Weissenbacher
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friese
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents