noun
chlamydia
kluh-MID-ee-uh/kləˈmɪdiə/
A bacterium responsible for a common sexually transmitted infection.
The laboratory studies chlamydia bacteria taken from a clinical sample.
Etymology
The bacterial name combines “cloak” with a noun ending and is said to refer to the bacteria's ability to “cloak” infected cell nuclei. The infection takes its name from the bacteria.
In context
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are sexually transmitted bacterial infections that left untreated can result in pelvic inflammatory disease, as well as infertility and preterm labor complications.
More examples
- The test detected a chlamydia infection.
- The health class discusses how chlamydia can spread.
- Researchers examine the chlamydia bacterium under specialized imaging equipment.
Forms
chlamydia · chlamydiae
Similar words
- gonorrhea
- Gonorrhea is a different infection caused by a different kind of bacterium.