chlamydia

chla·myd·ia

noun \klə-ˈmi-dē-ə\

plural chla·myd·i·ae\-dē-ˌē\

Definition of CHLAMYDIA

1

: any of a genus (Chlamydia, family Chlamydiaceae) of spherical gram-negative intracellular bacteria; especially : one (C. trachomatis) that causes or is associated with various diseases of the eye and urogenital tract including trachoma, lymphogranuloma venereum, cervicitis, and some forms of urethritis

2

: a disease or infection caused by chlamydiae

— chla·myd·i·al \-dē-əl\ adjective

Origin of CHLAMYDIA

New Latin, from Greek chlamyd-, chlamys

First Known Use: 1966

Rhymes with CHLAMYDIA

Numidia, Pisidia

chla·myd·ia

noun \klə-ˈmid-ē-ə\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CHLAMYDIA

1

capitalized : the type genus of the family Chlamydiaceae comprising coccoid to spherical gram-negative intracellular parasitic bacteria and including one (C. trachomatis) that causes or is associated with various diseases of the eye and genitourinary tract including trachoma, lymphogranuloma venereum, cervicitis, and some forms of nongonococcal urethritis

2

plural ; chla·myd·i·ae \-ē-ˌē, -ˌī\ (audio pronunciation) also ; chla·myd·ias a : a bacterium of the genus Chlamydia b : an infection or disease caused by chlamydiae

—chla·myd·ial \-ē-əl\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

chlamydia

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of the bacterial parasites that make up the genus Chlamydia, which cause several diseases in humans, including conjunctivitis and chlamydial pneumonia. One form causes a variety of sexually transmitted diseases. In men, symptoms are similar to those of gonorrhea. In women, chlamydial infection ordinarily produces few, if any, symptoms, and most infected women thus are unaware of their condition. However, untreated infections in women can lead to sterility, a higher risk of premature births, and ectopic pregnancies. Chlamydia frequently causes conjunctivitis or pneumonia in the newborn infant. Treatment is with antibiotics.