Chlamydia trachomatis in men

Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterium that is a type of obligate intracellular parasite. The size of the bacterium does not exceed 250-350 nm. It reproduces like viruses inside the cell, so the presence of chlamydia in the body can only be detected after it has damaged vital organs.

In the body of men, trachomatis is most often concentrated in the genitourinary system, which in some cases causes the development of urogenital chlamydia, reduced potency and infertility.

Description

This type of chlamydia parasitizes exclusively in the human body, is mainly transmitted sexually and is not adapted to exist in the outside world. Animals and birds are not at risk of infection and are not carriers.

The bacterium is a pathogenic gram-negative and immobile coccobacillus containing DNA and RNA, having ribosomes and cell walls. Reproduction of chlamydia occurs due to cell division in the cytoplasm of eukaryotes, which combines this type of bacteria with viruses.

The microorganism in question does not have mitochondria, it does not produce ATP, it exists solely due to the energy resources of the cell, inside which it settles, gradually destroying it.

Chlamydia develops and dies within 3 days, it can exist in two forms:

1. elemental body. An infectious spore-like form of bacteria that exists outside the cell in the form of a ball and contains many disulfide bonds that resist osmosis. Being in the form of a spore, chlamydia is insensitive to antibiotics. From the moment of division to the emergence of a full-fledged individual capable of subsequent reproduction, it takes from 6 to 9 hours.

2. reticular body. A vegetative reproductive form of a microorganism that exists inside a cell as a regularly reproducing Gram-negative bacterium. Being at this stage, chlamydia penetrates the cell, destroys the cell walls, and then completely destroys it. At this stage of development, the microorganism is exposed to antibiotics, timely treatment can permanently save a man from the problem. Reticular bodies multiply during the next 2 days after infection, forming intermediate bodies, which in turn turn into elementary bodies. As a result of a closed cycle, at least 1 thousand elementary bodies are formed.

Chlamydia survives with a significant drop in temperature, but when it rises to 45-50 degrees, it can die. The duration of the incubation period is at least 10 days and depends on the number of microorganisms simultaneously entering the body.

Methods of infection

Chlamydia enters the human body in several ways:

• Through the genital mucosa as a result of sexual intercourse with a carrier of infection, while an infected person may not be aware of the disease;
• Through the birth canal (infection occurs during childbirth);
< li>By using personal hygiene products and utensils (towel, bathrobe, cutlery) shared with an infected person.

The percentage of infections that occur in the domestic way is minimal. Some experts exclude this possibility, which is somewhat incorrect. Despite the fact that an adult microorganism cannot exist outside the cell, the elementary body (spore) still exists outside the cell. If at least one chlamydia remains on the towel after washing the patient, then the risk of infection of a healthy person remains until the tissue dries.

Chlamydia feels best in the male genitourinary system. At the same time, a long period of time can pass from the moment of infection to the development of any pathology. In a small amount, trachomatis is not dangerous, a healthy body can easily cope with a pathogenic microorganism on its own, without outside help.

Most often, women are carriers of the bacteria. The structure of the female genital organs contributes to the accelerated development of microorganisms, facilitates their further reproduction and transmission. The presence of chlamydia in men, as in women, can be detected after the appearance of certain signs.

Signs of infection

Penetrating into the genitourinary system of a man, chlamydia affects epitheliocytes. The resulting inflammation often causes infertility and impotence.

The first symptoms of infection occur 2-3 weeks after infection. By this time, the number of chlamydia, in comparison with the initial level, increases by 7-10 times. You can judge the presence of bacteria in the body by the appearance of the following unpleasant symptoms:

• Pain when urinating;
• Change in the color of urine;
• The appearance of blood in the urine;
• Itching and burning in the genitourinary organs;
• Tissue edema.

In some cases, pus of a translucent color is released from the urogenital canal.The urethra swells, irritation appears on it in the form of red spots, the secreted fluid becomes viscous, which leads to sticking of the organ.

After 1-2 weeks after these symptoms appeared, the disease recedes. Allocations acquire a normal color, are observed only in the morning hours before the first urination, their number is reduced. Unfortunately, the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease is not a reason for joy. Most likely, the disease has acquired a chronic form, which will allow it to quietly penetrate into other organs, gradually infecting them.

So, the result of the penetration of chlamydia into the prostate gland is the appearance of pain in the perineum, rectum and lower back. When the testicle is damaged, the body temperature rises, the scrotum swells, the epididymis turns red, increases in size. Reaching the inguinal canal infection can cause infertility.

It is possible to detect the presence of chlamydia trachomatis in a man in the process of treating pharyngitis, proctitis, arthritis, bronchitis, pneumonia and pyelonephritis. Dangerous microorganisms provoke the development, including the diseases listed above.

Diagnosis and treatment

If an infection is suspected, a man must consult a specialist and begin treatment. Persons leading a hectic lifestyle are recommended to have regular check-ups, at least once a year.

Having entered into a struggle with a well-functioning immune system, chlamydia trachomatis can die, therefore, penetrating into a healthy body, it falls into suspended animation. The anabiotic state allows it to remain unnoticed by the immune system. Vigorous activity begins only at a convenient moment for the bacterium, usually when immunity is weakened as a result of a cold, the treatment of which is carried out incorrectly.

In order to diagnose the disease, the following laboratory tests are carried out:

• Polymer chain reaction. With the help of this analysis, specialists can detect changes in the cellular structure of tissues, detect the presence of foreign bacterial DNA.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Allows you to detect the presence in the blood of specific antibodies to chlamydia. An enzyme immunoassay confirms or refutes the presence of a disease, helps to determine the stage at which its development is located. The presence of IgM antibodies indicates recent infection and the presence of the disease in the acute stage. IgA and IgG antibodies indicate primary infection. The chronic course of the disease is confirmed in the presence of IgG antibodies and the absence of IgM. This also indicates that infection occurred 2-3 months before sampling. The absence of any antibodies in the blood allows us to talk about the complete recovery of the patient, or the absence of infection.

An ultrasound of the genital organs may be prescribed by the attending physician. Ultrasound examination allows you to determine the presence of inflammation in the epididymis and prostate gland. To determine the variety of bacteria, seminal fluid is taken.

Treatment of diseases provoked by chlamydia is carried out under the supervision of a urologist or venereologist. If we are talking about chlamydia, then patients are advised to take antibiotics and drugs designed to strengthen the immune system. To combat pathogenic microorganisms most often used:

• Azithromycin;
• Doxycilin;
• Levofloxacin.

A positive effect is achieved after taking drugs of the penicillin group, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, vitamins, probiotics. The patient may be prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures - prostate massage, baths with medicinal herbs. The duration of treatment and the dosage of the drug depend on the individual characteristics of the organism and the number of chlamydia. During treatment, patients will have to refrain from sexual intercourse.

Both sexual partners will have to be treated. Upon completion of the prescribed therapeutic procedures, repeated tests are performed (approximately one month after the treatment is completed). A person is considered healthy if there are no antibodies to a specific microorganism in the blood.

If chlamydia is detected, it is forbidden to self-medicate. Even if the patient is dealing with a relapse or re-infection and knows everything about how to treat the disease, he cannot predict the result of self-treatment. Refusing to visit a doctor, the patient risks his own sexual life. Impotence and infertility are a direct consequence of the appearance of chlamydia in the body.