Chlamydia.

=__**Disease/Drug of interest** : __= Chlamydia/Azithromycin

**Motivation and Background** :
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that is caused by the bacterium //Chlamydia trachomatis//, which is dependent on its corresponding host cell. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that may be spread through sexual contact, such as anal, vaginal, and oral sex from another person who already contacted the disease. This infection can affect different types of the body, such as the vagina, anus, penis, and eyes, as it is spread through semen and vaginal fluids. Chlamydia is significant in that it is extremely prevalent throughout society, as there are more than 200,000 cases per year in the United States; the disease is mainly contracted within age groups of 14 year olds, and may sometimes range up to 40 year old people. Mothers who have contracted the infection may also be at risk of passing it on to their babies. Talk of this bacterial infection is important, because it will further spread awareness on it, and how it may be combatted and prevented. I chose to research this disease, because I value the importance of reproductive health in both men and women, as well as the information that should be brought to the public about different diseases that may be present when engaging in sexual contact.

Fig.1 Image of Chlamydia bacteria

1. Zengel, J.M.; Jerauld, A.; Walker, A.; Wahl, M. C.; Lindahl, L., The extended loops of ribosomal proteins L4 and L22 are not required for ribosome assembly or L4-mediated autogenous control. RNA: A Publication of the RNA Society 2003, 9, (10), 1188-1197. 2. Lawrence, M.G.; Shamsuzzaman, M.; Kondopaka, M.; Pascual, C.; Zengel, J.M.; Lindahl, L., The extended loops of ribosomal proteins uL4 and uL22 of Escherichia coli contribute to ribosome assembly and protein translation. Nucleic Acids Research 2016, 44, (12), 5798-5810. 3. Almalki, Z.S.; Guo, J. J., Cardiovascular Events and Safety Outcomes Associated with Azithromycin Therapy: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. American Health & Drug Benefits 2014, 7, (6), 318-328. 4. Perna, N.T.; Plunket, G. III; Burland, V.; Mau, B.; Glasner, J.D.; Rose, D.J.; Mayhew, G.F.; Evans, P.S.; Gregor, J.; Kirkpatrick, H.A.; Posfai, G.; Hackett, J.; Klink, S.; Boutin, A.; Shao, Y.; Miller, L.; Grotbeck, E.J.; Davis, N.W.; Lim, A,; Dimalanta, E.; Potamousis, K.; Apodaca, J.; Anantharaman, T. S.; Lin, J.; Yen, G.; Schwartz, D. C.; Welch, R.A.; Blattner, F.R., Genome sequence of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7. Nature 2001,409, (6819), 529-533.
 * References: **

**External links:**
[] [] [|http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/chlamydia#1] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">[]

=__**Target Information** : __= <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Fig. 2 Image of 50S ribosomal protein L4

** Size ** :
22086.36 Daltons

** Location ** :
The organism //Escherichia coli O157:H7;// ribosomes of various cells in the bodies of humans; cytosol of cells.

** Function in a normal cell ** :
Structure within a ribosome that is involved in the binding of rRNA proteins. Protein L4 is categorized to act as a protein that represses the processes of transcription and translation. =__**Drug Information**** : **__=

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Fig. 3 Image of Azithromycin Structure
 * Schematic figure of drug ** :

[|C38H72N2O12]
 * Formula ** :

748.996 9/mol
 * Molecular weight ** :

83905-01-5
 * CAS Number ** :

Azithromycin can be ingested by mouth in methods of a pill or a liquid, and it can be ingested by injection; it is available through a powder form, a tablet form, and a capsule form.
 * Delivery method ** :

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Most common: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">diarrhea and loose stools <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Less common: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">reddened or dry skin; fever <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Rare: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">bladder infection or heart rate complications
 * Side effects ** :

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Zithromax Pfizer and Teva Pharmaceuticals; Teva Pharmaceuticals releases Pliva manufacturing of the drug to the United States, since Pliva is based in Croatia.
 * Other names ** :
 * Maker or company ** :

The company Pliva has patented Azithromycin since 1981 into various countries within Europe. By 1986, a partnership between Pliva and Pfizer had been registered, allowing Pfizer to sell Azithromycin in the United States.
 * Is it patented ** ?

According to article “Cardiovascular Events and Safety Outcomes Associated with Azithromycin Therapy: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials,” about 12 clinical trials were conducted, as Azithromycin had been linked to causing “…an increased cardiovascular (CV) risk and may lead to CV-related death in high risk patients. [Conclusion]…No increased risks for mortality or for CV events associated with azithromycin therapy…found among patients included in the 12...trials.”
 * Clinical Trials Info ** :

__** Origin ** : __ According to the Mayo Clinic, “Azithromycin belongs to the class of drugs…macrolide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.”

Doxycycline, also known by its brand names Doryx and Vibramycin, also Amoxicillin, Erythromycin, Levofloxacin, and Ofloxacin.
 * Alternatives to this drug ** :

Azithromycin is recommended to be taken 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals. Medical history of various diseases should also be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist, such as kidney disease and liver disease. This antibiotic is also noted to possibly affect the heart and its rhythm, so this should also be extensively discussed. If people miss a dose, they should take the missed dose as soon as they remember to, but should not overlap with a second dose and should instead continue with their regular schedule.
 * Miscellaneous ** :

Azithromycin does have many other uses against various diseases and illnesses, such as Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Whooping cough, Cholera, Tonsillitis, Pink eye, Cystic fibrosis, Gonorrhea, and Strep throat.
 * Other uses ** :