ABSTRACT
Trachoma is one of the oldest known human diseases. It was described in ancient Egyptian and Chinese writings. The etiologic agent of trachoma was demonstrated in conjunctival cells of baboons that had been inoculated with scrapings from human trachoma cases. Chlamydia trachomatis may be readily isolated from active cases by use of cell culture systems. Sexually transmitted C. trachomatis infections were first recognized shortly after the discovery of the trachoma agent in 1907. In industrialized societies, C. trachomatis is considered to be the most common sexually transmitted pathogen. In the male, C. trachomatis is recognized as the most common cause of nongonococcal urethritis, being responsible for 35 to 50% of cases. C. trachomatis can be recovered from the pharynx of sexually active males or females at risk for genital tract infection. The ocular infection may be more difficult to treat than uncomplicated genital tract infections and 3 week courses of therapy are recommended.
