Chlamydia

• What type of pathogens are Chlamydiae?

  Obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens
• What is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection?

  1. trachomatis
• What is the leading infectious cause of blindness?

  1. trachomatis
• What is a significant cause of community-acquired pneumonia?

  1. pneumoniae
• Why are chlamydial infections often problematic?

  They are frequently asymptomatic
• What serious sequelae can result from chlamydial infections?

  Blindness, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility
• What is the taxonomy of Chlamydiae?

  • KINGDOM: Bacteria
  • PHYLUM: Chlamydiae
  • CLASS: Chlamydiia
  • ORDER: Chlamydiales
  • FAMILY: Chlamidiaceae
  • GENERA: Chlamydia
  • SPECIES: C. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci
• What are the main species of Chlamydia mentioned?

  1. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci
• What types of infections does C. trachomatis cause?

  Urogenital infection, Trachoma, LGV, Conjunctivitis
• What is a common disease caused by C. psittaci?

  Pneumonia
• What is a common disease caused by C. pneumoniae?

  Pneumonia
• What are the general characteristics of Chlamydiae?

  • Small obligate intracellular bacteria
  • Lack cell wall
  • Have 2 forms: Elementary body and Reticulate body
  • Also have inclusion bodies
  • Cannot be cultured on routine media; require cell culture
• How is Chlamydia transmitted?

  Through direct contact with infected tissue
• What are the two developmental forms of Chlamydia?

  Elementary body (EB) and Reticulate body (RB)
• What is the role of the elementary body (EB) in Chlamydia's lifecycle?

  It is metabolically inactive and is taken up by host cells
• What happens to the EB once it is inside the host cell?

  It differentiates into the metabolically active RB
• What does the RB do within the host cell?

  Uses host energy sources and amino acids to replicate
• What cells does C. trachomatis target in women?

  Squamocolumnar epithelial cells of the endocervix and upper genital tract
• What cells does C. trachomatis target in men and women?

  Conjunctiva, urethra, and rectum
• How many serotypes does C. trachomatis have?

  15 serotypes
• Which serotypes of C. trachomatis cause Trachoma?

  A, B, Ba, C
• What are the symptoms of Trachoma?

  Eye discharge, itching, irritation, sensitivity to light
• What can happen if Trachoma is left untreated?

  It can lead to irreversible blindness
• What are the treatments for Trachoma?

  • Tetracycline eye drops/ointment
  • Azithromycin
  • Surgery
• What causes non-gonococcal urethritis?

  1. K serovars of C. trachomatis
• What are common symptoms of non-gonococcal urethritis?

  Urethral discharge, pain or burning sensation during urination, urgency
• What complications can occur in males with non-gonococcal urethritis?

  Proctitis, epididymitis, conjunctivitis
• What complications can occur in females with non-gonococcal urethritis?

  Cervicitis, salpingitis, PID
• What is lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)?

  A sexually transmitted infection caused by serovars L1-L3 of C. trachomatis
• What are the symptoms of LGV?

  Genital ulcer and lymphadenopathy
• What are the treatments for LGV?

  • Doxycycline
  • Azithromycin
  • Erythromycin
• How is C. psittaci transmitted?

  Via aerosols from bird droppings
• What disease does C. psittaci cause?

  Psittacosis
• Who is at higher risk of exposure to C. psittaci?

  People who work with birds
• What are the symptoms of psittacosis?

  Cough, fever, respiratory symptoms
• What are the treatments for psittacosis?

  • Tetracycline
  • Doxycycline
  • Azithromycin
• How is C. pneumoniae transmitted?

  Through contact with respiratory secretions
• What type of pneumonia does C. pneumoniae cause?

  Atypical pneumonia
• What are common symptoms of C. pneumoniae infection?

  Cough, fever, sore throat, malaise
• What are the treatments for C. pneumoniae infection?

  • Azithromycin
  • Doxycycline