CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS IN ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS - CLINICAL AND ECONOMIC-IMPLICATIONS

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the epidemiology, diagnosis, screening and pharmacotherapy of Chlamydia trachomatis inf ections in adolescents and adults, together with a critical review of economic studies published on this topic. C. trachomatis continues to produce enormous social and economic consequences despite advances in prevention, screening and treatment. Both infected men and women are a t risk of developing sequelae, although women tend to have more seriou s complications. Several strategies are available for diagnosis and sc reening. In populations with a high prevalence of disease, DNA-amplifi cation assays may be the most cost-effective approach for diagnosis an d screening. Empirical treatment of all patients is also cost effectiv e; however, it may not be feasible for all health systems. A single do se of azithromycin is the most cost-effective antimicrobial agent for treatment of C. trachomatis infection.