Scientists are close to developing a vaccine to prevent against chlamydia.
The sexually transmitted disease is the most common cause of infertility in women but often has no noticeable symptoms. Now US researchers have developed a drug that helps the immune system better recognise and kill the bacteria, which can damage the fallopian tubes and cause ectopic pregnancies. Harvard Medical School created the vaccine following successful trials on mice.
Previous attempts to tackle the disease resulted in the body merely tolerating the bacteria rather than destroying it. Dr Kim Watson, of the University of Reading, said the latest study offers a 'ray of hope'.
Some 206,912 people tested positive for chlamydia in England in 2012 - 64 per cent of them aged under 25. It is usually treated with antibiotics and can be detected by a urine test.
- Daily Mail
