Texas researchers seek chlamydia vaccine to combat high infection rates

Scientists from multiple Texas laboratories are working to develop vaccines for chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) known to cause serious health conditions when left untreated, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

Although chlamydia infections can be cured with antibiotics, some subsequent conditions, such as infertility, are irreversible. The news source reported that experimental nasal vaccines, which use chlamydial protease-like activity factor to deter infection and avert subsequent reproductive failure, have been shown to be moderately effective in mice.

"Hopefully we can shorten the [length of infection] and also reduce the pathologies that are associated with it," researcher Ashlesh Murthy told the newspaper.

The Express-News noted that chlamydia rates in Bexar County, Texas, are six times higher than the national average.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.2 million Americans report new chlamydia infections annually. However, to account for unknown diagnoses, the organization estimates that nearly 3 million people are actually infected.

Symptoms of chlamydia may go unnoticed, but untreated cases can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility or vision loss.

Individuals who would like to be screened for STDs may consider using online testing services.