Chlamydia and Male Lower Urinary Tract Diseases.

Author: Young Suk LEE ¹ ; Kyu Sung LEE
Author Information

1. Department of Urology, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea.
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: Chlamydia; Chronic prostatitis; Epididymitis; Infertility orchitis; Urethritis
MeSH: Chlamydia; Epididymitis; Female; Humans; Infertility; Male; Mass Screening; Orchitis; Prostatitis; Urethritis; Urinary Tract; Urologic Diseases
From:Korean Journal of Urology 2013;54(2):73-77
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: Of the chlamydia species that can cause infections in humans, C. trachomatis is responsible for lower urinary tract diseases in men and women. C. trachomatis infections are prevalent worldwide, but current research is focused on females, with the burden of disease and infertility sequelae considered to be a predominantly female problem. However, a role for this pathogen in the development of male urethritis, epididymitis, and orchitis is widely accepted. Also, it can cause complications such as chronic prostatitis and infertility. This review summarizes C. trachomatis infection in the male genitourinary tract, including urethritis, epididymitis, orchitis, and its complications, and addresses the microbiology, epidemiology, screening, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.