Diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis using self-collected non-invasive specimens ? the Australian experience

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis are small, non-motile, obligate intracellular bacteria that typically infect human eukaryotic columnar epithelial cells. C. trachomatis infections result in a number of diseases of worldwide public health concern, including trachoma, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and urogenital infections. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen worldwide and in Australia has exhibited a steady rise in prevalence 1. National notification rates of newly diagnosed chlamydia infections have increased nearly four-fold since 1994 and more than doubled since 1999.