Researchers Want a National Screening Program for Chlamydia, a ‘Common’ Sexually Transmitted Infection – The Observer

A group of researchers from the University of Porto School of Medicine (FMUP) on Thursday advocated the creation of a screening program for chlamydia, one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases for which there is no vaccine.

On the eve of World Sexual Health Day, which is celebrated on Sunday, Nuno Vale, professor and FMUP researcher at the Center for Research in Health Technologies and Services (CINTESIS) warns that although chlamydia is a common infection, No symptoms appear in about 80%. What cases? Increases the risk of infection transmission.

In Portugal, still There is no screening programUnlike what is happening in other countries,” noted Nuno Valley, who leads the group of researchers who carried out the study “Chlamydia trachomatis as a current health problem: Challenges and opportunities.: Challenges and opportunities”), published in the Journal of Diagnostics Scientific.

In the study it was concluded that The health services are not aware of this problemusing traditional methods (cultures), with a waiting time and ‘low sensitivity’, which can lead to many false negatives, underdiagnosis and lack of treatment.

You may be at stake for a “public health problemConsider the researchers.

The chlamydiaChlamydia trachomatis, an infection caused by antibiotics.

Every day there are more than a million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases

According to data sent by FMUP to Lusa Agency, When left untreated, this infection can lead to serious consequences in the reproductive organs, Including, in women, in particular Chronic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

disease is also Associated with gynecological tumors (Cervical cancer) and Transition from pregnant to infant.

In man, FMUP adds, the most serious consequences include Prostate diseases As well as infertility.

In the absence of a vaccine, the solution must be tested of sexually active and asymptomatic women and men. Instead of the traditional culture method which is complicated and can take several days, DNA amplification techniques are faster and more sensitive, detecting bacteria in about 98% of casesNuno Valley confirms.

According to the information made available to Lusa, in recent years many countries have implemented national screening programs for chlamydia infection in women up to the age of 25 years.

Among the countries that have recently advanced this procedure are England, Australia, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

In addition to establishing a national screening program, the group of researchers notes Need to study the prevalence and incidence of chlamydia infection In Portugal as well Develop prevention and awareness campaigns on risk factors.

In 2020, the World Health Organization has estimated that 129 million new infections.

In addition to Nuno Vale, she is the author of this study Rafaela Rodriguezboth from FMUP and CINTESIS, as well as Carlos Sousa, from Unilabs.

This work was supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and FEDER – European Regional Development Fund, through COMPETE 2020.