Researchers discover genome that may lead to STD vaccine

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease (STD), mostly due to the fact that its symptoms can be so minor than people can spread the infection without even knowing they have it. Due to the high prevalence of the disease, researchers have been searching for an effective vaccine to prevent people from becoming infected.

Recently, there has been reason to believe that this vaccine is on the horizon. Researchers from Southampton, UK have identified the chlamydial genome, which may allow them to create a more effective treatment for the STD.

"Previously, people have been unable to study chlamydial genetics and this has created a barrier to the comprehensive study of this disease," said researcher Ian Clarke, adding, "[this finding] could lead to the development of new approaches to chlamydial vaccines and therapeutic interventions."

If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease which can cause infertility and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy by scarring the Fallopian tubes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that there were over 1,200,000 cases of the STD reported in the U.S last year.