IRBLleida initiates a pioneering study in Spain to determine chlamydia infection in a population under 25

Researchers from the Institute of Biomedical Research of Lleida (IRBLleida) and the University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida (HUAV) have initiated a pioneering project in Catalonia and Spain to determine the prevalence of chlamydia Trachomatis infection in young people aged 18 to 25 year old sexually active. The study, financed with € 50,000 by the Diputació de Lleida, aims to diagnose the infection and facilitate antibiotic treatment, avoid complications in young people (especially those related to infertility), and reduce by 5% in 5 years , the incidence of infection in asymptomatic patients. The project, led by Oriol Yuguero, is carried out at the HUAV Emergency Service.

According to data from the Center for Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted and AIDS infections in Catalonia (CEEISCAT), probably about 20% of sexually active young people between 18 and 25 are infected with chlamydia unknowingly, since some of the infections do not they present symptoms. Its incidence has increased in the last 20 years, until it has become one of the most relevant emerging infections. In 2014, 900 cases were declared in Catalonia, according to CEEISCAT data. This type of infection is cured through antibiotic treatment. In the case of non-detection and treatment, the infection has important consequences, among them, infertility, mainly female.