The role of Chlamydia trachomatis in the pathogenesis of female reproductive organs cancers

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is an intracellular obligate bacterium. It is the most common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) amongst a spectrum of diseases. Chlamydia infection is of a major public health concern especially in developing countries. It is estimated that about 600 million people are infected worldwide annually yet its roles in the pathogenesis of gynecological cancers are poorly understood and has not been fully elucidated. An understanding of the mechanisms underlying cancer development following PID due to C. trachomatis will be essential in prevention and providing more rational treatments. This review discusses the mechanisms and sequence of events linking Chlamydial infections to carcinogenesis in the female reproductive organs. Possible links between C. trachomatis infection and cancer development in the female reproductive organs are proposed. C. trachomatis infection as a co factor is also re-examined in light of these possible mechanisms.