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Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis)

The facts:

Chlamydia are small bacteria that are only able to proliferate inside somatic cells. Once released from the cell, they infect a large number of neighbouring cells, including the partner during sexual intercourse. The infection causes inflammation of the reproductive organs and destruction of tissue structures.

In uncomplicated cases, the symptoms are similar to those associated with gonorrhoea and include urethritis and inflammation of the neck of the uterus in women, resulting in increased urethral and cervical discharge. However, the infection can extend to the minor pelvis and affect the ovaries. On a global scale, Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of involuntary childless. To prevent permanent damage, early identification and treatment of the infection is crucial. The specimen collection is easy and the analysis safe and conclusive.

What does our test include?

A swab specimen from the vagina or tip of the penis is required to identify the presence of Chlamydia. The specimen is collected using a type of cotton swab, a painfree and simple procedure. Lightly dragging a cotton swab across the vaginal mucosa or the tip of the penis will leave some Chlamydia adhered to it. This quantity is sufficient for reliable identification of Chlamydia at the laboratory by means of our highly-sensitive techniques.

Who should take this test?

If men or women feel pain when urinating or during sexual intercourse, or if they notice urethral discharge, this test can be used to determine whether the symptoms are caused by a Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

In women, the infection can involve the neck of the uterus, causing increased discharge and possibly pain of the lower abdomen.

Women without symptoms may wish to take the test because they often carry Chlamydia at the neck of the uterus and transmit them to their partner during sexual intercourse. In addition, the infection can extend to the ovaries unnoticed, causing infertility or even sterility, a leading cause of involuntary childlessness.

How to use this test? ( to instructions )

A test swab is used for the identification of Chlamydia. Lightly dab it across the tip of your penis or the mucosa of your vagina. A few Chlamydia will adhere to the swab. This procedure is painfree and does not cause any injuries. Return the test swab to us in the enclosed original container. The consultation with a physician is not required to collect the specimen.

Please follow the instructions on the illustrations (pictograms), explaining the proper collection of samples

How and when will you receive the results?

The test results can be retrieved from our homepage (disclaimer) no later than 3 days upon receipt of the test swabs at our laboratory.

What happens, if the results reveal a Chlamydia trachomatis infection?

If a Chlamydia trachomatis infection is determined, you should consult your general practitioner, gynaecologist or urologist. The infection requires treatment with antibiotics. Because you will be bringing the test results, the physician can immediately prescribe the correct antibiotic.

What happens if the results reveal that you are not infected with Chlamydia trachomatis ?

The symptoms described above along with discharge can also be caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the pathogen causing gonorrhoea which can be treated effectively with antibiotics.

Additional information:

How are the tests conducted at our laboratory?

At the laboratory, we use the highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify Chlamydia and gonococci.

Literature references

Vaginal Swabs Are Appropriate Specimens for Diagnosis of Genital Tract Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis
Julius Schachter, William M. McCormack, Max A. Chernesky , David H. Martin, Barbara Van Der Pol, Peter A. Rice, Edward W. Hook, III, Walter E. Stamm, Thomas C. Quinn, and Joan M. Chow
J. Clin. Microbiol., Aug 2003; 41: 3784 - 3789.

Performance of Transcription-Mediated Amplification and Ligase Chain Reaction Assays for Detection of Chlamydial Infection in Urogenital Samples Obtained by Invasive and Noninvasive Methods Angelika Stary, 1* Elisabeth Schuh, 1 Martina Kerschbaumer, 1 Birgit Götz, 1 and Helen Lee 2
J Clin Microbiol. 1998 September; 36(9): 2666–2670.

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