Novel Transcriptional Signature for Chlamydial PID
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered novel biomarkers that can be used in identifying silent or asymptomatic PID. Specifically, the researchers identified genes that are differentially transcribed in response to chlamydial pelvic inflammatory disease. The discovery was the result of studies performed to compare transcriptional profiles of those suffering from clinical PID due to chlamydia with those of people with asymptomatic chlamydial infection that was restricted to their cervices without evidence of endometrial infection or histologic endometritis.
Description
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is one of the most common and serious complications of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in people with female reproductive organs, commonly caused by pathogens chlamydia and gonorrhea. In the United States, more than 1 million people are treated for PID every year, and 200,000 to 300,000 of them require hospitalization. While a large number of people are diagnosed based on clinical suspicion and determined via pelvic examination among people with signs and symptoms of PID, this criteria is not specific at all and does not diagnose people with silent, or asymptomatic PID. Asymptomatic PID, if not diagnosed early enough, can lead to infertility and permanent damage of female reproductive organs. Current available tests, which have both high sensitivity and specificity for PID, include endometrial biopsy or laparoscopy. However, neither of these tests are routinely used in clinical practice among symptomatic PID cases, let alone asymptomatic cases, partly due to the invasive nature of these tests and partly due to costly procedures. Thus, there is an unmet need of low cost, simple, and non/minimally invasive diagnostic test for early detection of PID.Applications
- Diagnostic test to identify sub-clinical PID- Detect presence of endometritis and elevated pathogen burden
- Asymptomatic upper tract infection
- Determining antibiotic effectivity for treatment or prevention of Chlamydial PID
Advantages
- Highly specific.- Inexpensive and minimally invasive procedure.