Chlamydia Surveillance: Need for New Approaches

In 2010, 1,307,893 cases of C. trachomatis were reported, the largest number of infections ever reported to CDC for any condition. Chlamydia case rates have increased steadily for the past 15 years and trends in test positivity in clinics participating in the Infertility Prevention Project also show increases. However, these metrics are influenced by changes in screening coverage, empiric treatment, electronic lab reporting, and use of more sensitive diagnostic tests making interpretation of trends difficult. Consequently, new approaches to monitoring chlamydia morbidity are needed.