title: Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Pregnancy: The Global Challenge of Preventing Adverse Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
abstract: Screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnancy represents an overlooked opportunity to improve the health outcomes of women and infants worldwide. Although Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common treatable bacterial STI, few countries have routine pregnancy screening and treatment programs. We reviewed the current literature surrounding Chlamydia trachomatis in pregnancy, particularly focusing on countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. We discuss possible chlamydial adverse pregnancy and infant health outcomes (miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, preterm birth, neonatal conjunctivitis, neonatal pneumonia, and other potential effects including HIV perinatal transmission) and review studies of chlamydial screening and treatment in pregnancy, while simultaneously highlighting research from resource-limited countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nielsen-Saines
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases: Global Health, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6922-7364
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Klausner
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D001208:Asia; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health / Q000639:trends; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015996:Survival Rate