Name: Cheyenne McMillian
Causative Agent: Chlamydia trachomatis
Disease: STD chlamydia, ocular trachoma

Classification of the causative agent:
C. trachomatis is a gram – coccoid bacteria

History:
15-19 year old women account for half of the carriers of the disease for females.

Virulence factors of the causative agent:
C. trachomatis has a unique cell wall structure that allows it to hinder phagolysosome fusion within phagocytes. Characterized as gram negative, a notable difference amongst other bacteria’s is that it lacks muramic acid in its cell walls which makes it resistant to antibiotics such as penicillin. Chlamydia also has a type III secretion apparatus (a small needle-like projection) that allows it to inject proteins directly …show more content…
Incubation Period of the Disease:
Incubation period for chlamydia trachomatis can range from days to months after initial exposure. Development of symptoms, however, averages about 1-3 weeks after sexual contact with infected individual. Chlamydia can manifest as acute cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or chronic asymptomatic infection.

Signs and Symptoms:
Many people who have chlamydia don’t develop symptoms but may still infect others. Acute symptoms in women include vaginal discharge, irritation of the pubic area, burning during urination, lower abdominal pain, painful intercourse, and vaginal bleeding.
Elongated exposure can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy in women, as well as cervical cancer and HIV transmission. In men, acute symptoms include clear, white, or even yellow discharge, burning sensation while urinating, pain and/or tenderness in testicles, and tingling or itching around tip of urethra. Prolonged exposure in men can also include infertility and can cause epididymitis and prostatitis.