Medical term:

Ch

Chlamydia

[klah-mid´e-ah]

a widespread genus of gram-negative, nonmotile bacteria. They are obligate intracellular parasites that are totally dependent on the host cell for energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which they cannot synthesize. Outside a host they exist as elementary bodies that have a rigid cell wall and are unable to grow and divide. The elementary bodies attach to the host cells and are taken in by phagocytosis. Inside the phagosome they become reticulate bodies that have flexible cell walls and are able to grow and divide. Subsequent release of elementary bodies and lysis of the host cell permit infection of surrounding cells.

The genus Chlamydia contains two species, C. tracho´matis and C. psit´taci. C. trachomatis can cause trachoma, inclusion conjunctivitis, lymphogranuloma venereum, nongonococcal urethritis, and a number of other genital infections. C. psittaci causes psittacosis.

The symptoms of sexually transmitted chlamydial infections may be mild; hence this is sometimes called “the silent STD.” Victims may not be aware they have the disease and may not seek treatment until serious complications and unwitting transmission to other persons have occurred. Males who have symptoms usually have painful urination and a watery discharge from the penis. Women may suffer itching and burning in the genital area, an odorless, thick, yellow-white vaginal discharge, dull abdominal pain, and bleeding between menstrual periods. C. trachomatis causes about half of all pelvic inflammatory disease. Symptoms can appear from a week to five weeks after exposure to the bacteria, during which time almost all sexual contacts become infected.

Chlamydial infection during pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirth or premature birth. The newborn is at risk for infection from its mother and may suffer from inclusion conjunctivitis. Chlamydial infection can also lead to pneumonia some weeks after birth, probably because of infectious material from the eye draining through the nasolacrimal ducts and being aspirated into the lungs.

Chlamydial infection is usually treated with an antibiotic; effective single antibiotic therapy is available. It is essential that condoms be used during sexual intercourse throughout the treatment period to prevent reinfection, and condom use is usually recommended for 3 to 6 months after treatment. As with all sexually transmitted diseases, both partners should be treated at the same time to prevent reinfection. If left untreated, chlamydial infection can cause scarring in the fallopian tubes and lead to infertility and tubal pregnancies. In the male, nongonococcal urethritis due to chlamydiae may lead to epididymitis and sterility.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has drawn up guidelines that strongly recommend routine screening for Chlamydia infections for all sexually active women ages 25 and younger in order to insure detection. Printed copies of the Guidelines are available online through the National Guideline Clearinghouse at http://www.guideline.gov. They can also be obtained from the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse by calling 1-800-358-9295.

chlamydia

[klah-mid´e-ah]

any member of the genus Chlamydia.

Chlamydia

(kla-mid'ē-ă),

One of three genera in the family Chlamydiaceae, Chlamydia muridarum, the cause of pneumonitis; Chlamydia suis; and Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia are obligatory intracellular spheric or ovoid bacteria with a complex intracellular life cycle; the infective form is the elementary body, which penetrates the host cell, replicating as the rediculate body by binary fission; replication occurs in a vacuole called the inclusion body; lack peptidoglycan in cell walls; type species in Chlamydia trachomitis. Formerly called Betsonia.

Synonym(s): Chlamydozoon

[G. chlamys, cloak]

chla·myd·i·a

, pl.

chla·myd·i·ae

(kla-mid'ē-ă, -mid'ē-ē),

A vernacular term used to refer to any member of the genus Chlamydia.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

chlamydia

(klə-mĭd′ē-ə)

n. pl. chlamyd·iae (-ē-ē′)

1. Any of various gram-negative, coccoid bacteria of the genus Chlamydia, especially C. psittaci and C. trachomatis, that are pathogenic to humans and other animals, causing infections such as conjunctivitis in cattle and sheep and trachoma, urethritis, and pneumonia in humans.

2. Any of several common, often asymptomatic, sexually transmitted diseases caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.

chla·myd′i·al adj.

Chla·myd·i·a

(klă-mid'ē-ă)

One of three genera in the family Chlamydiaceae; includes Chlamydia muridarum, the cause of pneumonitis in mice, C. suis, and C. trachomatis, the type species. Chlamydiae are obligatory intracellular spheric or ovoid bacteria with a complex intracellular life cycle; the infective form is the elementary body, which penetrates the host cell, replicating as the reticulate body by binary fission. Replication occurs in a vacuole called the inclusion body. Chlamydiae lack peptidoglycan in their cell walls. Formerly called Bedsonia.

chla·myd·i·a

, pl. chlamydiae (klă-mid'ē-ă, -ē)

A vernacular term used to refer to any member of the bacterial genus Chlamydia.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

Chlamydia,

A genus of small, non-motile, GRAM NEGATIVE bacteria that occupy cells and were thus once thought to be viruses. They carry both DNA and RNA and multiply by binary fission. They can be destroyed by tetracycline antibiotics.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Chlamydia

Gram-negative BACTERIA (see GRAM'S STAIN) that are OBLIGATE INTRACELLULAR PARASITES of man and other animals. They can only reproduce (see REPRODUCTION) within a host CELL. They are smaller than some of the largest VIRUSES. They are COCCOID, about 0.2–1.5 μm in size and can be transmitted by interpersonal contact or by respiratory routes. Chlamydia trachomatis causes trachoma, a common cause of blindness in humans.

	expected ratio	observed nos (o values)	expected nos (E values)	(o-e)	(o-e)²	(o-e)²/e
red	3	82	75	7	49	0.65
white	1	18	25	7	49	1.96
		100	100			χ²=2.61

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

Chlamydia

One of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. It causes discharge, inflammation and burning during urination. About half of the cases of nongonococcal urethritis are due to chlamydia.

Mentioned in: Conjunctivitis, Gonorrhea, Nongonococcal Urethritis, Proctitis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Chla·myd·i·a

(klă-mid'ē-ă)

Obligatory intracellular spheric or ovoid pathogenic bacteria with a complex intracellular life cycle; infective form is the elementary body, which penetrates the host cell, replicating as the rediculate body by binary fission.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

Patient discussion about Chlamydia

Q. How do I know if I'm infected by chlamydia?

A. i had this a long time ago,i got it when i was stationed over seas,i had painful urinations,had a puss like discharge,and sores on the penis.i always had discharge stains in my underwear.

Q. after takeing a 1g. dose of zithromax how long do u have to wait to have sex for clamydia i havent been diagnosed yet but to be on the safe side they gave me a 1g. z-pack just in case getting tested in two days but i wanted to see a girl this weekend and sleep with a girl should i wait

A. you need to wait till the doctor says its ok,i would wait 30 days just too be safe.

More discussions about Chlamydia

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chlorthalidone

Apo-Chlorthalidone (CA), Hygroton (UK), Novo-Thalidone (CA), Thalitone, Uridon (CA)

Pharmacologic class: Thiazide-like diuretic

Therapeutic class: Diuretic, antihypertensive

Pregnancy risk category B

Action

Unclear. Enhances excretion of sodium, chloride, and water by interfering with transport of sodium ions across renal tubular epithelium. Also may dilate arterioles.

Availability

Tablets: 15 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg

Indications and dosages

➣ Edema associated with heart failure, renal dysfunction, cirrhosis, corticosteroid therapy, and estrogen therapy

Adults: 50 to 100 mg/day (30 to 60 mg Thalitone) P.O. or 100 mg every other day (60 mg Thalitone) P.O., up to 200 mg/day (120 mg Thalitone) P.O.

➣ Management of mild to moderate hypertension

Adults: 25 mg/day (15 mg Thalitone) P.O. Based on patient response, may increase to 50 mg/day (30 to 50 mg Thalitone) P.O., then up to 100 mg/day (except Thalitone) P.O.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to drug, other thiazides, sulfonamides, or tartrazine

• Renal decompensation

Precautions

Use cautiously in:

• renal or severe hepatic disease, abnormal glucose tolerance, gout, systemic lupus erythematosus, hyperparathyroidism, bipolar disorder

• elderly patients

• pregnant or breastfeeding patients.

Administration

• Know that dosages above 25 mg/day are likely to increase potassium excretion without further increasing sodium excretion or reducing blood pressure.

Adverse reactions

CNS: dizziness, vertigo, drowsiness, lethargy, confusion, headache, insomnia, nervousness, paresthesia, asterixis, nystagmus, encephalopathy

CV: hypotension, ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmias, thrombophlebitis

GI: nausea, vomiting, cramping, anorexia, pancreatitis

GU: polyuria, nocturia, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido

Hematologic: blood dyscrasias

Metabolic: gout attack, dehydration, hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia, hypophosphatemia, hyperuricemia, hyperlipidemia,

hypochloremic alkalosis

Musculoskeletal: muscle cramps, muscle spasms

Skin: flushing, photosensitivity, hives, rash, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Other: fever, weight loss, hypersensitivity reactions

Interactions

Drug-drug. Allopurinol: increased risk of hypersensitivity reaction

Amphotericin B, corticosteroids, mezlocillin, piperacillin, ticarcillin: additive hypokalemia

Antihypertensives, barbiturates, nitrates, opiates: increased hypotension

Cholestyramine, colestipol: decreased chlorthalidone blood level

Digoxin: increased risk of hypokalemia

Lithium: increased risk of lithium toxicity

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: decreased diuretic effect

Drug-diagnostic tests. Bilirubin, calcium, creatinine, uric acid: increased levels

Glucose (in diabetic patients): increased blood and urine levels

Magnesium, potassium, protein-bound iodine, sodium, urine calcium: decreased levels

Drug-herbs. Ginkgo: decreased antihypertensive effects

Licorice, stimulant laxative herbs (aloe, cascara sagrada, senna): increased risk of potassium depletion

Drug-behaviors. Acute alcohol ingestion: additive hypotension

Sun exposure: increased risk of photosensitivity

Patient monitoring

• Closely monitor patient with renal insufficiency.

• Assess for signs and symptoms of hematologic disorders.

• Monitor CBC with white cell differential and serum uric acid and electrolyte levels.

• Assess for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions, especially dermatitis.

• Watch for fluid and electrolyte imbalances.

Patient teaching

• Instruct patient to consume a low-sodium diet containing plenty of potassium-rich foods and beverages (such as bananas, green leafy vegetables, and citrus juice).

• Caution patient to avoid driving and other hazardous activities until he knows whether drug makes him dizzy or affects concentration and alertness.

• Tell patient with diabetes to check urine or blood glucose level frequently.

• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, tests, herbs, and behaviors mentioned above.

chlorthalidone

(klôr-thăl′ĭ-dōn′)

A diuretic that inhibits the reabsorption of sodium and chloride by the kidneys, used to treat hypertension.

chlorthalidone

Chlortalidone, a DIURETIC drug of medium potency that increases the output of urine over a period of 48 hours. Brand names are Hygroton, Kalspare, and with ATENOLOL, Tenoretic.

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