Recent advances in chlamydia trachomatis

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular energy parasitic bacterium with a genome of 660 X 10(6) daltons, possessing a plasmid and unique life cycle which includes the differentiation of the infective elementary body to a replicative reticulate body. C. trachomatis is the etiological agent of trachoma, which affects approximately 500 million people in developing countries. Recently it became evident that in industrialised Western nations certain strains of C. trachomatis are the most common cause of sexually transmitted infections such as non-gonococcal urethritis, cervicitis, endometritis, salpingitis and subsequent ectopic pregnancies or infertility, perihepatitis, neonatal conjunctivitis and pneumonia, adult conjunctivitis and epididymitis. Since C. trachomatis infections are often asymptomatic, widespread screening of sexually active young people is needed in order to initiate early antibiotic treatment which may prevent serious complications such as ectopic pregnancies and infertility. Development of sensitive and simple techniques for mass screening for detection of Chlamydia in excretions as well as techniques for detection of specific markers of chronic internal infections (such as Chlamydia specific IgA antibodies) is of great importance.

Chlamydia-like organisms in ctenidia and mantle cells of the Japanese oyster Crassostrea gigas from the French Atlantic coast

“…The different stages of this procaryotic organism appear enclosed within vesicles: the presence of a membrane separating microorganisms from host cell components until disintegration during late stages of infection is compatible with the description for other chlamydial infections (Todd et al 1976, Ladany & Sarov 1985, Moulder 1991.…”

Laboratory survey of Chlamydia trachomatis ocular infections

“…The detection of specific chlamydia antibodies by immunoperoxidase is sensitive enough to show a titrable humoral specific reaction against the pathogen, which can apparently be correlated with different phases of conjunctival and genital infections (5). The IgG titers may be used to monitor the immune reaction in the long-standing primary or secondary response to infection.…”

Induction of DNA Strand Scissions in HeLa Cells by Human Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes Activated by Chlamydia trachomatis Elementary Bodies

“…Persistent 'chronic and recurrent chlamydia1 infections are common. They were recognized in various animal infections with C. psittaci (Kunimoto & Brunham, 1985) and were later observed in human C. trachomatis infections causing trachoma and lymphogranuloma venereum, as well as genital and respiratory tract infections (Ladany & Sarov, 1985).…”