Congenital Chlamydia Infection – case presentation

There are several pathogens involved in the etiology of neonatal infections. Based on etiology, these can be classified into materno-fetal and nosocomial infections. Bacteria of the Chlamydia family behave like intracellular parasites. The most well-known member is Chlamydia trachomatis, which is the cause of the most common sexually transmitted disease in developed societies.

In this case, we present a 27-days-old girl who presented at our clinic with conjunctivitis, dyspnea and coughing. Laboratory and imaging findings reported leucocytosis, eosinophilia, and bronchopneumonia. Her condition improved rapidly during antibiotic treatment, but her conjunctivitis recurred. Serological tests confirmed Chlamydia infection of the newborn. She became asymptomatic after the whole family has been cured.

In case of neonatal conjunctivitis, pneumonia and eosinophilia, Chlamydia should be considered and the whole family treated to prevent re-infections.