Real-time PCR detection of Chlamydia trachomatis

Сhlamydia infection is a sexually transmitted disease caused by unprotected sex. In addition, newborn children are at risk of contracting chlamydia infection during their progress through the birth canal. The causative agent of chlamydia infection is chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis). The symptoms of chlamydia infection are meager, often asymptomatic, which is associated with the uncontrolled use of antibiotics. Nevertheless, the clinical picture makes it possible to suspect the presence of a sexual infection.

In men:
- Transparent discharge from the external opening of the urethra, most often in the morning;
- Painful urination.

In women:
- Transparent discharge from the genital tract;
- Intermenstrual bleeding from the genital tract of ointment character;
- Pulling pain in the lower abdomen;
- Painful urination.

The above symptomatology does not appear until one to two weeks from the time of infection. The most dangerous complication of chlamydia infection for men and women is the development of infertility. In women, this is due to the formation of adhesions in the reproductive organs. In men, infertility develops due to the transition of chlamydia infection from the extracellular form to the intracellular form: the microbes penetrate the spermatozoon, making them incapable of fertilization. This fact indicates the need for timely diagnosis and treatment of chlamydia infection!

The determination of Chlamydia trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is characterized by high sensitivity and specificity (98%). The principle of PCR is to identify a unique DNA fragment belonging to a given microorganism after repeated doubling of the sampling genetic material in a test-tube. In the OLYMP CDL branches, PCR analysis is done in REAL-TIME mode, which means that after each hardware cycle (amplification), the amount of DNA in the biomaterial is measured. This procedure reduces the probability of a false positive result to almost zero! The test material is a swab from the urethra or vagina. Therefore, the result of the test indicates the presence or absence of the pathogen directly at the site of taking the biomaterial.

Read more about chlamydia infection in the article: 8 REASONS TO GET TESTED FOR CHLAMYDIA INFECTION