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Chlamydia trachomatis
The genus Chlamydia is a rather small one, housing only three bacterial species. C. trichomatis is distinguished from the others by its affinity for genital and conjunctiva epithelium. It is best well known as a sexually transmitted infection that moves from person to person via contact with bodily fluids of an infected individual. It has a unique biphasic life cycle, in which there are infectious but metabolically inactive elementary bodies (EB) which reside in the cytoplasm after being endocytosed. They are then transformed into noninfectious but metabolically active reticulate bodies (RB). After incubating for 7-21 days, they begin to replicate, completing one cycle every three hours. Some are reinstated as infectious EBs and are released in order to infect other cells.

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There are an incredible number of organisms inhabiting the human genital tract. Many are considered normal flora, but others can cause serious problems below the belt. The variety of organisms and their varying pathogenesis covers a significant range as well; here we will explore several different pathogens hailing from various kingdoms that employ diverse methods of invasion and infection.

Candida albicans
C. albicans is a member of the yeast family and is generally part of the normal flora of the mucus membranes of the body. Overgrowth of this fungus due to the disruption of normal flora, however, can cause vaginal Candidiasis. This organism is the second leading cause of vaginal infections is women of reproductive age. The main virulence factor of this fungus is that it has the ability to carry out numeric and structural chromosomal rearrangements, which it uses as a way of increasing genetic diversity. This allows the fungus to readily adapt to many different environments. Under harsh conditions, it also has the ability to convert to its mycelial form; the cells become elongated and are able to attach at the ends to a variety of surfaces. This organism has the ability to penetrate, invade, develop and proliferate within the deep layers of intact cells of the cervix and vaginal mucosal epithelium

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Herpes simplex virus

The herpes virus is one which infects the mucus membranes of both the oral cavity and the genitalia of human beings. It is generally spread by skin on skin contact and is a lifelong infection. Glycoproteins on the cell surface that correspond with receptors on the host cell provide herpes with its largest advantage against the immune system of its host. Once it binds to those receptors, its membrane will fuse with that of the host and the virus enters. Herpes injects its own DNA capsid into the nucleus so that replication will occur. It evades the immune system by interfering with MHC class I presentation of antigen on the surface of infected cells. In this way, the virus is able to maintain a lifelong infection in the host. This virus gives rise to a fluctuating set of symptoms. Generally the initial outbreak presents as small red bumps that may become ulcers. These will go away and later resurface in a recurrent outbreak.
Maija Swanson Dr. Ruscetti Medical Microbiology Santa Clara University Spring 2011 References: Anderson, Alice, and Elizabeth Chaney. "Pubic Lice (Pthirus Pubis): History, Biology and Treatment vs. Knowledge and Beliefs of U.S. College Students." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2009): 592-600. Print Batteiger, Byron, and Et Al. "Repeated Chlamydia Trachomatis Genital Infections in Adolescent Women." The Journal of Infectious Disease 201.1 (2009): 41-52. Print. Netea, Mihai, and Grodon Brown. "An Inegrated Model of the Recognition of Candida Albiacans by the Innate Immune System." Nature Reviews Microbiology (2008): 6778. Print. Umbach, Jennifer L. "MicroRNAs Expressed by Herpes Simplex Virus 1 during Latent Infection Regulate Viral MRNAs." Nature, 7 Aug. 2008. Web. 24 May 2011.

Phthirus pubis
Also known as crab lice, these small parasites can infect any region of the body covered in hair, but are notorious for infesting the genital region. These creatures feed solely on blood and humans are the only known host. The main symptom of an infestation is itching; most people have a hypersensitivity to the saliva of the louse. The skin of the host will sometimes turn a grayish color at the feeding site as well, and may last for a few days after the infestation has been terminated. This parasite is generally spread by direct contact during sexual intercourse, but can also be transmitted by contact with an infested inanimate object, such as a towel or clothing.