Recommendations for the Prevention and Management of Chlamydia trachomatis Infections, 1993

In 1985, CDC published Policy Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Chlamydia trachomatis infections (1). Those guidelines highlighted the prevalence and morbidity of chlamydial infections and stressed the need to include antibiotics effective against chlamydia when treating patients for urethritis, mucopurulent cervicitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. The recommendations presented in this report update the 1985 guidelines. In addition, these recommendations propose a national strategy for reducing the morbidity of chlamydial infections by detection and treatment and through the prevention of transmission to uninfected persons. Such an effort is now possible because of a) expanding educational efforts stimulated by the epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and other sexually transmitted diseases, and b) the availability of chlamydia tests that are easy to use, economical, and accurate, thereby allowing health-care providers to diagnose and treat infected persons and their sex partners. Education, screening, and sex partner referral require coordination of the activities of several professionals, including educators, clinicians, microbiologists, outreach workers, and program managers. Because chlamydial infections are common among adolescents and young adults throughout the United States, health-care providers and other agencies serving these groups should become more involved if a sufficiently large proportion of the chlamydia-infected population is to be reached. Health departments should establish consortia of these organizations to pool resources and to coordinate activities. To facilitate such collaborations, this document outlines the elements of a chlamydia prevention program. These recommendations were developed by CDC after consultation with experts attending a chlamydia prevention workshop held in Atlanta, Georgia, March 26-28, 1991. Commentary from additional public health, medical, and laboratory practitioners also was considered in developing these recommendations.