Chlamydophila abortusPelvic Inflammatory Disease

Abstract

We report the first documented case of an extragestational infection with Chlamydophila abortus in humans. The pathogen was identified in a patient with severe pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) by sequence analysis of the ompA gene. Our findings raise the possibility that Chlamydiaceae other than Chlamydia trachomatis are involved in PID.

Chlamydia abortus: New Aspects of Infectious Abortion in Sheep and Potential Risk for Pregnant Women

“…The patient's history revealed that she had extensive contact with sheep in her youth. Diagnostic pelviscopy revealed diffuse coalescence of both adnexes and edematous swelling of the fallopian tubes [107]. PCR analysis of a liquid aspirate obtained from the Douglas pouch identified C. abortus as the causative agent.…”

“…Infectious elementary bodies of C. abortus are shed in large quantities with the products of abortion and infective aerosols are inhaled by people who are exposed while caring for the animals. There are a number of reports of pregnant women who had severe infections, including spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and septicemia, following exposure to animals infected with C. abortus [102][103][104][105][106][107][108]. Fever up to 41°C and flu-like illness may present as initial symptoms that are accompanied by an elevated C-reactive protein, normal or decreased leukcocyte counts and thrombocytopenia [106,108].…”

“…Therefore physicians and veterinarians are strongly encouraged to alert pregnant women to keep away from both sheep and goats, particularly during the lambing or kidding period [49,51,104,106,108]. One single case of extragestational infection with C. abortus in humans has been published [107]. Walder and colleagues reported on the case of a 39-year old women suffering from chronic abdominal pain, increased vaginal discharge and menstrual abnormalities since adolescence [107].…”

“…One single case of extragestational infection with C. abortus in humans has been published [107]. Walder and colleagues reported on the case of a 39-year old women suffering from chronic abdominal pain, increased vaginal discharge and menstrual abnormalities since adolescence [107]. The patient's history revealed that she had extensive contact with sheep in her youth.…”

Distinct Intensity of Host-Pathogen Interactions in Chlamydia psittaci- and Chlamydia abortus-Infected Chicken Embryos

“…he animal pathogens Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia abortus both possess a significant and well-documented zoonotic potential (3,42,53). At the same time, there are marked differences in host specificity, virulence, tissue tropism, and clinical manifestations of these obligate intracellular bacteria (25).…”