[Secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by epithelial cells in response to Chlamydia infection suggests a central role for epithelial cells in Chlamydia pathogenesis].
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Cell Line↗
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[Chlamydia pneumoniae and other Chlamydia species in community-acquired pneumonia].
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Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Chlamydia or not Chlamydia, that is the question: which is the microorganism associated with MALT lymphomas of the ocular adnexa?
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Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Labsystems enzyme immunoassay for Chlamydia pneumoniae also detects Chlamydia psittaci infections.
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Antibodies, Bacterial↗
Characterization of DNA fragment from Chlamydia psittaci avian strain which shows high homology with hypB gene of Chlamydia.
A study was performed to characterize DNA fragment No. 17 of C. psittaci strain P-1041 which encoded 42 KD beta-galactosidase fusion protein with type-specific antigenicity. Sequence determination identified a partial open reading frame that spanned about 1,200b. p. nucleotides. Screening the literatures for the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences revealed extensive similarity between the DNA fragment of P-1041 and two chlamydial hypB genes. This DNA showed 91.5% homology with C. psittaci GPIC hypB gene in nucleotide sequence and 96.4% homology in deduced amino acid sequence. The hypB gene of C. trachomatis serovar A and the P-1041 DNA fragment showed 81.2% and 91.3% homology in nucleotide and amino acid sequences, respectively. Dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, for the products of deleted DNA fragments defined the coding region for type-specific antigenic polypeptide. In addition, the P-1041 DNA fragment carried a sequence highly homologous (greater than 49%) with other bacterial and plant genes called chaperonin which responds to various stress in cells. From these results, the P-1041 DNA fragment was found to be a part of hypB gene and to encode the region critical for type-specific antigenicity.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
[Multifocal study of human chlamydia infections due to Chlamydia trachomatis. Initial descriptive study and deductions apropos of a survey conducted at Sidi-Okba (South Algeria)].
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Adult↗
[Chlamydia infections in swine. 2. Pathologic-histological peculiarities of experimental Chlamydia pneumonia in swine].
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Animals↗
An evaluation of surveillance for Chlamydia trachomatis infections in the United States, 1987-1991.
PROBLEM/CONDITION: Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in the United States; however, no precise data on the prevalence and incidence of chlamydia infection are available because currently no comprehensive national surveillance system exists for chlamydia. Despite the absence of such a system, states do report numbers of male and female chlamydia cases to CDC on a quarterly basis. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: This report summarizes and reviews the chlamydia surveillance data received by CDC from 1987 through 1991. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: Summary data on cases of chlamydia reported to state health departments were sent quarterly to CDC in Atlanta, Georgia. The quarterly data from each state included total number of chlamydia cases by sex and by source of report (public, private). RESULTS: From 1987 through 1991, the number of states with legislation mandating reporting of chlamydia increased twofold. The reported chlamydia rate from those states also doubled during the same time period, from 91.4 cases per 100,000 population in 1987 to 197.5 cases per 100,000 population in 1991. INTERPRETATION: This twofold increase in the rate of chlamydia reported to CDC did not represent a doubling in chlamydia prevalence or incidence during this time period. Instead, the increase resulted from the increase in the number of states with reporting laws and from the initial attempts of those states to identify and report diagnosed chlamydia infections. ACTIONS TAKEN: More accurate measures of the number of chlamydia infections and of trends in the chlamydia infection rate are needed to justify, develop, and evaluate public health programs to control chlamydia infections. An outline of possible surveillance activities for local communities is presented.
Chlamydia Infections↗
Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in semen by the polymerase chain reaction in male members of infertile couples.
OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the presence of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infection by means of the polymerase chain reaction in male members of couples with previously undiagnosed infertility. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-eight infertile-couples who had negative cultures or negative results when tested by deoxyribonucleic acid probe for Chlamydia trachomatis in semen and cervical samples were studied. Semen samples were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis by means of the polymerase chain reaction. Sera from both partners were diluted 1:128 and tested for immunoglobulin M antibodies to Chlamydia. Sera and ejaculated sperm were evaluated for the presence of antisperm antibodies. Semen analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Chlamydia trachomatis was identified in semen from 11 (39.3%) of the male partners. Its detection correlated with the presence in the ejaculate of motile sperm containing antisperm antibodies (p < 0.01). Either antisperm immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A, or both were located on sperm only from 5 (45.5%) of the 11 men whose results were positive when tested for Chlamydia trachomatis. Similarly, immunoglobulin G or immunoglobulin A antibodies to sperm were only detected in 5 (45.5%) of the spouses of men with Chlamydia in semen. Immunoglobulin M antibody to Chlamydia trachomatis was identified in only one of the men. However, antichlamydial immunoglobulin M antibodies were present in sera from 6 (54.5%) female partners of men with seminal Chlamydia trachomatis but in none of the other 17 women (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Although undetected by culture of deoxyribonucleic acid probe of semen samples, Chlamydia trachomatis was nevertheless identified in semen of some symptom-free men by the polymerase chain reaction. This is probably a result of the increased sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction to detect Chlamydia trachomatis. The increased prevalence of an autoimmune response to sperm in men with this organism in their semen suggests that a subclinical chlamydial infection may activate an immune response to sperm. A similar association between Chlamydia trachomatis in semen and circulating antisperm antibodies in female partners indicates that Chlamydia may also induce an immune response to sperm in women. Infertility in these couples may be the result of a direct inflammatory response in the cervix or endometrium to repeated Chlamydia exposure or of the ability of Chlamydia to evoke an immune response to spermatozoa.
Adult↗
Comparison of nucleic acid amplification tests and culture techniques in the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis in victims of suspected child sexual abuse.
STUDY OBJECTIVES: (1) To identify factors predictive for gonorrhea and chlamydia positivity by LCR testing based on history and physical findings encountered during the sexual abuse evaluations. (2) To compare Ligase Chain Reaction (LCR), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and culture methods in the detection of chlamydia and gonorrhea infection among prepubertal and adolescent girls referred for sexual abuse evaluations. DESIGN: Prevalence odds ratios and logistic regression analysis were used to identify factors among patients' physical symptoms and signs, history of sexual activity, and abuse characteristics that were associated with positive test results for gonorrhea and chlamydia. The Kappa statistic was used to perform pairwise comparisons of LCR, PCR, and culture identification of gonorrhea and chlamydia infection. SETTING: A specialized sexual abuse clinic in San Antonio, Texas. PARTICIPANTS: A consecutive sample of 229 girls between the ages of 6 and 20 who reported, or had indicators of, abusive genital-genital or genital-anal contact. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients' history and physical findings predicting positive test results for gonorrhea and chlamydia infection; and relative sensitivity of testing sites (vaginal swab and urine) and methodologies (LCR, PCR, and culture) in identifying gonorrhea and chlamydia infection. RESULTS: (1) Gonorrhea infection: 3.2% of subjects were positive for gonorrhea by LCR at one or more sites; 2.4% had positive gonorrhea cultures. There was excellent agreement between vaginal swab LCR and PCR; agreement between urine samples was limited by the small number of positive tests. The sole factor that predicted gonorrhea positivity was increased number of white blood cells seen on wet mount. (2) Chlamydia infection: 11.1% of subjects were positive for chlamydia by at least one LCR test; only 0.8% had positive chlamydia cultures. Both urine and vaginal swab testing showed good agreement between PCR and LCR but not between culture and either of the newer methodologies. Factors that predicted chlamydia positivity were: patient history of consensual sexual contact, patient history of vaginal discharge, and the presence of concerning or definitive findings of genital trauma. CONCLUSIONS: While LCR, PCR, and culture techniques appeared comparable for detecting gonorrhea, LCR techniques detected significantly more patients with chlamydia infection when compared with the culture technique. PCR was comparable to LCR in detecting chlamydia infection. The LCR vaginal swab detected more patients with chlamydia and gonorrhea than the LCR urine sample. Risk factors for chlamydia and gonorrhea infection were present in most, but not all, of the children with positive LCR findings. LCR and PCR appear to detect more chlamydial and gonorrheal infections than do cultures.
Adolescent↗
Is there a relation between Chlamydia infection and primary biliary cirrhosis?
Over the past two decades, a number of studies have failed to provide direct evidence of specific microbial chronic infection in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). However, a recent report suggests that there is a specific association of Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with PBC and that C. pneumoniae or similar antigens might play a role in the pathogenesis of disease. To determine if Chlamydia infection is associated with PBC, we applied a combination of immunological and molecular approaches to investigate (a) the serological reactivity against two common Chlamydia human pathogens, C. pneumoniae and C. trachomatis, by immunoblotting, (b) the presence of Chlamydia in liver samples of patients with PBC and controls by PCR amplification of Chlamydia specific 16S rRNA and (c) the presence of Chlamydia proteins in liver samples of patients with PBC and controls by immunohistochemical staining. By immunoblotting, C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae specific serological antibodies were found in 52/57 (91.2%) AMA positive PBC, 7/33 (21/2%) of AMA negative PBC, 1/25 (4%) PSC, 0/15 (0%) Sjorgen's syndrome and 0/20 (0%) systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 0/20 (0%) healthy volunteers at 1:200 sera dilution. PBC sera reacted to Chlamydia and E. coli lysates in western blots up to a maximum of 10(-4) dilution. However, PCR amplification of the Chlamydia specific 16S rRNA gene was negative in 25/25 PBC livers but positive in 1/4 PSC liver, 3/6 in other liver disease controls and 1/4 normal liver samples. While two commercially available specific monoclonal antibodies stained positive controls (Chlamydia infected HEp-2 cells) they failed to detect Chlamydia antigens in PBC livers. The detection of Chlamydia specific antibodies but not Chlamydia rRNA gene and Chlamydia antigens in PBC suggests that Chlamydia infection is not involved in PBC.
Chlamydia↗
Implementing chlamydia screening: what do women think? A systematic review of the literature.
BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted infection that can have serious consequences. It is universally agreed that screening for chlamydia infection should be offered to sexually active young women. We undertook a literature review to document the views, attitudes and opinions of women about being screened, tested and diagnosed with Chlamydia trachomatis. METHODS: Online databases (MEDLINE, Meditext, PsycINFO, Web of Science) and reference lists searched up to August 2005. Search terms: chlamydia, attitude, attitude to health, interview, qualitative, women. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: about chlamydia, included women, involved interviews/surveys/focus groups, looked at women's views/opinions/attitudes, published in English. Thematic analysis identified the main and recurrent themes emerging from the literature. We compared our thematic analysis with the Theory of Planned Behaviour to provide a model that could assist in planning chlamydia screening programs. RESULTS: From 561 identified articles, 25 fulfilled inclusion criteria and were reviewed. 22: USA, UK; 3: Holland, Sweden, Australia. Major themes identified: need for knowledge and information, choice and support; concerns about confidentiality, cost, fear, anxiety and stigma. Women are more likely to find chlamydia screening/testing acceptable if they think chlamydia is a serious, common condition which can cause infertility and if they understand that chlamydia infection can be asymptomatic. Women want a range of options for chlamydia testing including urine tests, self-administered swabs, pelvic exams and clinician-collected swabs, home-testing and community-based testing. Tests should be free, easy and quick. Women want support for dealing with the implications of a chlamydia diagnosis, they feel chlamydia diagnoses need to be normalised and destigmatised and they want assistance with partner notification. Women need to know that their confidentiality will be maintained. CONCLUSION: Our review found that women from various countries and ethnic backgrounds share similar views regarding chlamydia screening, testing and diagnosis. The acknowledged importance of women's views in planning an effective chlamydia screening program is expanded in this review which details the nature and complexity of such views and considers their likely impact.
Attitude to Health↗
Anti chlamydia antibodies in patients with thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms.
BACKGROUND: Chlamydia species are suspected of being involved in the pathogenesis and progression of aortic aneurysms. We investigated serum levels of Chlamydia antibodies in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) compared to levels in healthy individuals. METHODS: We included 35 consecutive patients with TAA, 42 patients with AAA and 42 age- and sex-matched healthy controls in a case control study. Serum antibodies (IgM and IgG) against Chlamydia lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis were measured by recombinant ELISA and quantified by measurement of optical density. RESULTS: Patients with TAA exhibited median immunoglobulin levels against Chlamydia LPS (IgM 0.090, IgG 0.266), C. pneumoniae (IgM 0.023, IgG 0.264) and C. trachomatis (IgG 0.247) comparable to those of healthy subjects [Chlamydia LPS IgM 0.209 (p = 0.1), IgG 0.301 (p = 0.2); C. pneumoniae IgM 0.051 (p = 0.07), IgG 0.516 (p = 0.1); C. trachomatis IgG 0.153 (p = 0.2)]. Patients with AAA had higher serum levels of IgG against Chlamydia LPS (0.560) compared to healthy individuals [0.301 (p = 0.04)], but no significant elevation of antibodies against C. pneumoniae [IgM 0.029 (p = 0.1), IgG 0.545 (p = 0.9)] and C. trachomatis [IgG 0.219 (p = 0.3)]. CONCLUSION: Thoracic aortic aneurysms were not associated with signs of Chlamydia infection or immunopathogenicity. In contrast, patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms exhibited elevated levels of immunoglobulin against Chlamydia LPS, reflecting an unspecific Chlamydia immunopathogenicity. However, elevated levels of antibodies against distinct Chlamydia species were also not found in AAA patients.
Aged↗
Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by the polymerase chain reaction in the cervices of women with acute salpingitis.
OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine whether an increased prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis could be detected by the polymerase chain reaction as opposed to culture in the cervices of women with acute salpingitis. STUDY DESIGN: Endocervical samples from 15 women with laparoscopy-verified acute salpingitis and 20 women seeking medical help for conditions other than pelvic pain were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis with the polymerase chain reaction. The oligonucleotide primer pairs used were specific for a 144 bp region of the major outer membrane protein that contained a single EcoRI endonuclease cleavage site. The detection of a 144 bp band that was cleaved by EcoRI to a 103 bp band denoted a Chlamydia trachomatis-positive sample. Cervical samples were cultured for Chlamydia trachomatis with the use of McCoy cells. The lymphocyte proliferative response to Chlamydia trachomatis elementary bodies was also determined. RESULTS: Nine of the 15 women (60%) with salpingitis had positive results when tested with the polymerase chain reaction for cervical Chlamydia trachomatis. Only two of these women (13%), both of whom had positive results when tested with the polymerase chain reaction, had cultures that were positive for Chlamydia trachomatis (p < 0.02). Among the 20 other women, only two patients with cervicitis had positive cultures for Chlamydia. Those women plus two women with unexplained recurrent abortions had positive polymerase chain reaction test results for Chlamydia trachomatis. A lymphocyte proliferative response to Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in five of eight women with salpingitis, as well as three of the other four patients, all of whom had positive polymerase chain reaction test results; lymphocytes from the remaining women were unresponsive. Follow-up cervical samples were obtained 4 to 6 months after treatment from six of the patients with salpingitis who had positive polymerase chain reaction test results; at that time five had negative polymerase chain reaction test results for Chlamydia trachomatis. CONCLUSION: The polymerase chain reaction appeared to be more sensitive and more rapid than culture in detecting Chlamydia trachomatis in the cervices of women with acute salpingitis. This assay may be of value for the early diagnosis of chlamydial infections.
Acute Disease↗
Factors associated with the geographic variation of reported Chlamydia infection in Minnesota.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Minnesota, physicians have been required to report cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection since 1985. The distribution of reported cases suggests that there is substantial geographic variation in the rate of chlamydia infection. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: We conducted chlamydia screening at selected sites and a survey of primary care physicians in counties with high and low rates of reported chlamydia infection. We hypothesized that chlamydia infections are uniformly distributed in nonmetropolitan areas, and the geographic differences in reported cases can be attributed to variable testing and reporting practices by physicians. STUDY DESIGN: The number of reported female chlamydia cases per 1,000 women was calculated for each rural Minnesota county in 1990. Fourteen counties with high and low rates of reporting were selected for further investigation. From September to December 1991, universal chlamydia screening was carried out at 11 clinics serving patients in these counties. A questionnaire was mailed to all primary care physicians in these counties. RESULTS: In 1990, the rate of reported chlamydia cases was 4.7/100,000 and 0.1/100,000 for women living in the high-reporting and low-reporting counties, respectively. Chlamydia infection was present in 5.5% and 9.7% of women screened at selected clinics in high- and low-reporting counties, respectively. Physicians in high- and low-reporting counties did not differ significantly in terms of age, gender, number of pelvic exams, or frequency of chlamydia testing. However, physicians in high-reporting counties were significantly more likely to test for chlamydia when evaluating mucopurulent cervicitis or salpingitis, and they were more likely to test a woman whose sex partner had urethritis. Physicians in high-reporting counties were also more likely to have reported a case of chlamydia.
Adolescent↗
Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in clinical specimens by the polymerase chain reaction.
Sequences derived from the endogenous plasmid of Chlamydia trachomatis and from the genes coding for ribosomal 16S RNA of Chlamydia psittaci were used as primers and oligonucleotide probes for detection of chlamydiae by the polymerase chain reaction. The endogenous plasmid primers generated specific amplified products of 517 bp with all known Chlamydia trachomatis serovars. No specific products of Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pneumoniae could be detected using these primers. With the rRNA primers specific amplified products of 208 bp were generated with Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae. No specific amplified products were detected with DNA isolated from a variety of microorganisms from the urogenital and the respiratory tract. Of 156 clinical specimens used for evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction, 26 were found to be positive for Chlamydia trachomatis on culture. All 26 culture positive samples were also found to be positive for Chlamydia trachomatis DNA by the polymerase chain reaction with both primer sets. Two culture negative samples were also found to be positive by this technique. The polymerase chain reaction thus seems to be a sensitive and reliable method for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis.
Base Sequence↗
Detection by broad-range real-time PCR assay of Chlamydia species infecting human and animals.
BACKGROUND: Tests available for molecular diagnosis of chlamydial infections detect Chlamydiatrachomatis, but do not find other Chlamydia species associated with genital, ophthalmic, cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological diseases. The routine detection of all Chlamydia species would improve the prognosis of infected people and guide therapeutic choices. AIM: To design and validate a sensitive, specific, reproducible, inexpensive and easy-to-perform assay to quantify most Chlamydia species. METHODS: Primers and probe were selected using the gene coding for the 16S rRNA. The detection limits were assessed for suspensions of Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The performance of this test was compared with that of two commercial kits (Amplicor-Roche and Artus) on 100 samples obtained from children with trachoma. RESULTS: The detection capacities for Chlamydia trachomatis of the broad-range real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were similar or slightly better than those obtained with commercial kits (0.2 copies of DNA/microl). Only the broad-range PCR identified specimens containing Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The commercial kits and the broad-range assay detected Chlamydia species in 5% and in 11%, respectively, of samples from children with trachoma. CONCLUSIONS: This new real-time PCR offers a sensitive, reproducible assay that produces results in <3 h. With panels of quantified Chlamydia species, this real-time PCR can be run with all real-time PCR equipment. Larger trials are needed to confirm the utility of this test in diagnosis and for therapeutic follow-up.
Animals↗
Detection of Chlamydia in the peripheral blood cells of normal donors using in vitro culture, immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry techniques.
BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) are medically significant infectious agents associated with various chronic human pathologies. Nevertheless, specific roles in disease progression or initiation are incompletely defined. Both pathogens infect established cell lines in vitro and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has detected Chlamydia DNA in various clinical specimens as well as in normal donor peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC). However, Chlamydia infection of other blood cell types, quantification of Chlamydia infected cells in peripheral blood and transmission of this infection in vitro have not been examined. METHODS: Cp specific titers were assessed for sera from 459 normal human donor blood (NBD) samples. Isolated white blood cells (WBC) were assayed by in vitro culture to evaluate infection transmission of blood cell borne chlamydiae. Smears of fresh blood samples (FB) were dual immunostained for microscopic identification of Chlamydia-infected cell types and aliquots also assessed using Flow Cytometry (FC). RESULTS: ELISA demonstrated that 219 (47.7%) of the NBD samples exhibit elevated anti-Cp antibody titers. Imunofluorescence microscopy of smears demonstrated 113 (24.6%) of samples contained intracellular Chlamydia and monoclonals to specific CD markers showed that in vivo infection of neutrophil and eosinophil/basophil cells as well as monocytes occurs. In vitro culture established WBCs of 114 (24.8%) of the NBD samples harbored infectious chlamydiae, clinically a potentially source of transmission, FC demonstrated both Chlamydia infected and uninfected cells can be readily identified and quantified. CONCLUSION: NBD can harbor infected neutrophils, eosinophil/basophils and monocytes. The chlamydiae are infectious in vitro, and both total, and cell type specific Chlamydia carriage is quantifiable by FC.
Adult↗