Chlamydia trachomatis infection in adolescents.

C. trachomatis infections remain epidemic among sexually active young women and place these women at risk for major lifelong reproductive morbidity, including tubal infertility and chronic pelvic pain. The prevalence and importance of chlamydial infections among sexually active adolescent and young adult males have yet to be determined. Most recently, a synergistic relationship between risk for STI infections and HIV has been described. More randomized controlled trials need to be done to define this latter relationship. Cost-effectiveness of broad-base screening and treatment in a variety of populations that differ by prevalence, age, gender, and risk for HIV infection has yet to be determined. Finally, researchers are actively pursuing the development of an effective chlamydial vaccine that, in theory, would be given to prepubertal youth before the onset of sexual activity.