Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis Infection)

[Previous][Table of Contents][Next]

Nationally notifiable since 1990

1.0 National Notification

Only confirmed cases of disease should be notified.

2.0 Type of Surveillance

Routine case-by-case notification to the federal level

3.0 Case Classification

3.1 Confirmed case

Laboratory evidence of infection in genitourinary specimens:

• detection of C. trachomatis by culture
  OR
• detection of C. trachomatis nucleic acid
  OR
• detection of C. trachomatis antigen

3.2 Confirmed Case—Extra-genital infections

Laboratory evidence of infection in rectum, conjunctiva, pharynx and other extra-genital sites:

• detection of C. trachomatis by culture
  OR
• detection of C. trachomatis nucleic acid
  OR
• detection of C. trachomatis antigen

3.3 Confirmed Case—Perinatally Acquired Infections

Laboratory evidence of infection:

• Detection and confirmation of C. trachomatis in nasopharyngeal or other respiratory tract specimens from an infant in whom pneumonia developed in the first six months of life:
• isolation of C. trachomatis by culture
  OR
• demonstration of C. trachomatis nucleic acid
  OR
• demonstration of C. trachomatis antigen
  OR
• Detection and confirmation of C. trachomatis in conjunctival specimens from an infant who developed conjunctivitis in the first month of life:
• isolation of C. trachomatis by culture
  OR
• demonstration of C. trachomatis nucleic acid
  OR
• demonstration of C. trachomatis antigen

4.0 Laboratory Comments

IgM antibody detection is suitable for diagnosis of C. trachomatis pneumonia in infants < 3 months of age only.

5.0 Clinical Evidence

6.0 ICD Code(s)

6.1 ICD-10 Code(s)

A56
- Not specified

6.2 ICD-9 Code(s)

099.5, 099.41, 099.50, 099.52, 099.53, 099.54, 099.55
- Not specified

7.0 Type of International Reporting

None

8.0 Comments

Each case classification is mutually exclusive.

Individuals with more than one site of infection concurrently may fall under more than one case classification but will be counted as one case with multiple sites of infection identified to avoid duplicate counting of cases.

For information on reporting cases of Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) through the national LGV Enhanced Surveillance System, please refer to the Public Health Agency of Canada Web site: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/lgv/lgvrdt_e.html.

9.0 References

Case definitions for diseases under national surveillance. CCDR 2000;26(S3). Retrieved May 2008, from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/00vol26/26s3/index.html

Date of Last Revision/Review:

May 2008