Difference Between Chlamydia and Thrush

Key Difference – Chlamydia vs Thrush
 

With the globalization and increased human interactions, prevalence and incidence of the sexually transmitted diseases have rapidly gone up. Chlamydia is one such sexually transmitted infection that is caused by a bacterium named Chlamydia trachomatis. Thrush is a pathological condition that is caused by a certain species of fungi called the Candida. Thus, the key difference between chlamydia and thrush is that chlamydia is caused by a bacterium whereas thrush is caused by a fungus.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Chlamydia
3. What is Thrush
4. Similarities Between Chlamydia and Thrush
5. Side by Side Comparison – Chlamydia vs Thrush in Tabular Form
6. Summary 

What is Chlamydia?

C.trachomatis can be called as the commonest STI in the UK, which can be seen in about 10% of sexually active people below 25 years. It is mainly transmitted via direct inoculation of infected secretions from a mucous membrane to another. The infection can be usually seen in the areas of urethra, endocervix, rectum, pharynx, and conjunctiva. This condition is asymptomatic most of the time. Therefore, it is frequently unrecognized and untreated. The main complication of chlamydia infection is the pelvic inflammatory disease. This may result in tubal infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain resulting in significant morbidity and increased cost of health care services. Although the exact incubation period of the disease is unclear, it is thought to be between 7 and 21 days.

Clinical Features

In men;     

• Anterior urethritis
• Mucoid and mucopurulent urethral discharge
• Dysuria
• Epididymo-orchitis

In women;        

• Increased vaginal discharge
• Dysuria
• Post-coital or intermenstrual bleeding
• Lower abdominal pain
• Mucopurulent cervicitis and/or contact bleeding

During pregnancy, CT may result in preterm birth, post-partum infection, neonatal mucopurulent conjunctivitis and pneumonia due to vertical transmission during vaginal delivery.

In receptive anal sex, the rectal infection may recur, which is asymptomatic but can cause proctitis.

Diagnosis

The diagnostic test of CT is Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs). It has a sensitivity of 90-99%. In men, for the diagnosis, first voided urine (FVU) samples or urethral swabs and, in women, vulvovaginal swabs (VVS) or endocervical swabs are taken. Self-taken VVSs are as sensitive as clinician taken VVSs. In women, FVU samples are less sensitive than VVSs and endocervical swabs. Self-taken VVSs in females and FVU samples in males are ideal for asymptomatic chlamydia screening as they are non-invasive.

Rectal and pharyngeal swabs can be taken to perform CT NAAT, for MSM, those who practice receptive anal sex and receptive oral sex.

Figure 01: Chlamydia trachomatis

Management

Azithromycin 1g as a single dose or doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 7 days is recommended for uncomplicated infection. In pregnancy or for lactating women, Azithromycin 1g as a single dose is recommended. For complicated infections, longer courses of antibiotics are required.

What is Thrush?

Thrush is basically a condition that occurs mainly in the oral and vaginal mucosa due to the candida infection.

Creamy white patches with exudate which cannot be removed by tongue blade are visible in oral thrush. Those patches are mainly found on the erythematous mucosa. Patients with weak immune system are likely to get this condition due to the candida infection. Treatment includes oral fluconazole, nystatin swish and spit and clotrimazole candies.

Figure 02: Oral Thrush

Vaginal thrush, on the other hand, is due to the candida infection that occurs in the vagina which is associated with the inflammation of the vaginal walls.

Symptoms of Vaginal Thrush

• Pruritus
• Whitish vaginal discharge
• Dyspareunia
• Dysuria

Management of Vaginal Thrush

• Antifungal agents are very effective in the treatment of vaginal thrush. They can be administered as pessaries, intravaginal creams or capsules.

What is the Similarity Between Chlamydia and Thrush?

• Both diseases can be transmitted through intimate physical contact

What is the Difference Between Chlamydia and Thrush?

Summary – Chlamydia vs Thrush

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by a bacterium named Chlamydia trachomatis. Thrush is a condition that occurs mainly in the oral and vaginal mucosa due to the candida infection. The main difference between chlamydia and thrush is that chlamydia is caused by a bacterium whereas thrush is caused by a fungus.

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References:

1. Kumar, Parveen J., and Michael L. Clark. Kumar & Clark clinical medicine. Edinburgh: W.B. Saunders, 2009.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Chlamydia Geimsa Stain CDC” By Doctors E. Arum and N. Jacobs – CDC public health library via www.usmlerx.com (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Human tongue infected with oral candidiasis” By James Heilman, MD – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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