C. Trachomatis

• What kinds of hosts does C. trachimatis have?


  • limited host range
  • one strain infects mice
  • all others infect humans
• What type of cells does C. Trachomatis infect?


  • Infects the cells that have receptors for elementary bodies
  • Conjunctiva (mucous membrane of eye), and various mucous membranes (trachea, bronchi, urethra, uterus, anus, rectum)
• How does C. trachomatis enter the body?


  • abrasions and lacerations
• What is the most common reportable sexually transmitted disease in the US?


  • Chlamydia trachomatis
• What are the clinical manifestations due to?


  • cell destruction
  • inflammatory response
• What can re-infections at the same site result in?

  • severe hypersensitivity reactions leading to blindness, sterility or sexual dysfunction
• What disease does C. Trachomatis cause?


  • sexually transmitted diseases:
  • Lymphogranuloma venuereum
  • Three stages of infection
  • Transient genital lesions, swollen inguinal lymph nodes, genital sores
  • Nongonococcal urethritis
  • Proctitis
  • Reinfection can lead to PID and sterility in women
• What is trachoma?


  • Ocular disease
  • pathogen multiplies in cells of conjunctiva and kills them
• What does trachoma lead to?


  • non-traumatic blindness in humans
  • Infections typically occurs during childbirth
• How can C. Trachomatis be diagnosed?


  • Demonstrate bacteria inside cells from the site if infection
• What are the treatments for C. Trachomatis?


  • Antibiotics can be administered for genital and ocular infections
  • Surgical correction of deformities from trachoma may prevent blindness (eye region)
• How can C. Trachomatis be prevented?


  • Abstinence to prevent sexually transmitted infections (safe sex)
  • Blindness prevented with prompt use of antibacterial agents