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C. Trachomatis (c + trachomati)
Terms modified by C. Trachomatis Selected AbstractsPrevalence and risk factors of human papillomavirus infection by penile site in uncircumcised Kenyan menINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 2 2010Jennifer S. Smith Abstract Human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence was estimated from 2,705 sexually active, uncircumcised, human immunodeficiency virus seronegative men aged 17,28 years in Kisumu, Kenya. HPV prevalence was 51.1% (95% confidence interval: 49.2,53.0%) in penile cells from the glans/coronal sulcus and/or shaft. HPV prevalence varied by anatomical site, with 46.5% positivity in the glans/coronal sulcus compared with 19.1% in the shaft (p < 0.0001). High-risk HPV was detected in 31.2% of glans and 12.3% of shaft samples (p < 0.0001). HPV16 was the most common type and 29.2% of men were infected with more than one HPV type. Risk factors for HPV infection included presence of C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhea, self-reported sexually transmitted infections, and less frequent bathing. Lifetime number of sexual partners and herpes simplex virus type-2 seropositivity were also marginally associated with HPV infection. [source] Treatment of men with urethritis negative for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticumINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 5 2007Shin-Ichi Maeda Objective: Some patients with symptomatic non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) are negative for Chlamydia trachomatis, mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas. The optimal antimicrobial chemotherapy for such NGU has not fully been elucidated, though many studies of antimicrobial chemotherapies for C. trachomatis -positive NGU have been performed. We assessed the efficacy of antimicrobial agents that are active against C. trachomatis on non-mycoplasmal, non-ureaplasmal and non-chlamydial NGU (NMNUNCNGU). Methods: One hundred men whose first-pass urine samples were negative for C. trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum, and Ureaplasma urealyticum were treated with levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, minocycline, or clarithromycin for 7 days. Urethritis symptoms and the presence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) in urethral smears were assessed before and after treatment. Results: Eighty-eight (88.0%) of 100 men with NMNUNCNGU showed no signs of urethral inflammation after treatment, but two men complained of some symptoms of urethritis. Twelve (12.0%) of 100 men had significant numbers of PMNL in urethral smears, but five of these 12 men had no symptoms of urethritis. The efficacy for normalization of urethral smears was 90.7% for clarithromycin, 89.7% for levofloxacin, 87.5% for gatifloxacin, and 75.0% for minocycline. The 12 men who showed signs of urethral inflammation were retreated with levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, minocycline or clarithromycin for an additional 7 days. The 10 men who returned after the second treatment had negative urethral smears. Conclusion: Our present findings suggest that antimicrobial agents active against C. trachomatis are effective against NMNUNCNGU and that a 7-day treatment regimen with an appropriate antimicrobial agent may be sufficient to manage patients with NMNUNCNGU. [source] Sexual behavior survey and screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in university students in South KoreaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 2 2005SEUNG-JU LEE Abstract Background: The purpose of the present study was to define the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections and status of sexual risk behavior among university students (18,25 years old) in the capital region of South Korea. Methods: Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire related to sexuality. First-void urine was analyzed for chlamydial and gonococcal infection by strand displacement amplification (BDProbTecET, BD Diagnostic Systems, MD). Results: A total of 622 students from 15 colleges in three universities took part in the study. The median age was 21 and 39.1% of them reported having sexual intercourse at least once. The prevalence of C. trachomatis among sexually active men and women was 8.4% and 10.6%, respectively. Gonococcal infection was noted in one symptomatic male. Factors significantly associated with infection were the number of sexual partners during past year and lifetime and condom use. Conclusions: This is the first sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening in university students in South Korea. Urine-based STI screening was both feasible and acceptable in university students in South Korea. It should be considered a routine part of programs to control STI nationally. [source] Diagnostic value of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the recombinant CT694 species-specific protein of Chlamydia trachomatisJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009O. Frikha-Gargouri Abstract Aim:, To study the performance of the CT694 protein in relation to the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) and the pELISA tests for the serodiagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Methods and Results:, The CT694 protein was produced as recombinant protein and was used as antigen in ELISA test for the detection of C. trachomatis IgG antibodies. The performance of the developed ELISA test was compared to the MIF test at two cut-off values of 16 and 64, and to the specific pELISA test using a panel of 342 sera. These sera were from children MIF C. trachomatis and Chlamydophila pneumoniae negative, patients MIF C. pneumoniae positive, patients MIF C. trachomatis positive, patients suspected to have chlamydial infections diagnosed by the Cobas Amplicor test, healthy blood donors and prostitutes. Our results indicate that the developed ELISA test has performed better compared with the MIF and the pELISA tests. The highest performance was obtained when comparing the developed ELISA test in relation to the pELISA, yielding an overall sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 87% respectively. Conclusions:, The CT694 ELISA showed the best performance when compared to the species-specific pELISA test and may be used for the serodiagnosis of C. trachomatis infections. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The CT694 ELISA test responds to the criteria of both sensitivity and specificity according to the MIF and pELISA tests and may be used for serodiagnosis of C. trachomatis infections. [source] Diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infectionJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 1 2006Jayanti Mania-Pramanik Abstract Important progress in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) includes the development of nucleic acid amplification techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligase chain reaction (LCR). Commercial kits are available, but they are costly, sporadic in availability, must be imported, and are economically beyond the reach of common people. To overcome this limitation, most research laboratories have standardized their in-house-developed PCR methods for diagnosing this infection. However, each laboratory has to spend a great deal of time and money to accomplish this. Published reports do not always elaborate the steps involved in standardizing a test so that it can immediately be reproduced in another setting. In the present study we attempted to elaborate the steps involved in standardizing a sensitive and specific PCR technique followed by hybridization with specific C. trachomatis probe to diagnose this infection in cervical, introital, and urine specimens, and used it to determine the infection rate in a clinical population. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 20:8,14, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Involvement of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in the pathogenesis of hydrosalpinx induced by Chlamydia trachomatis infectionJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 6 2008Louis Chukwuemeka Ajonuma Abstract Background:, Genital Chlamydia (C) trachomatis infection has been recognized as the single most common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease leading to severe tubal damage, ectopic pregnancy, infertility and hydrosalpinx. However, the mechanism underlying the formation of hydrosalpinx induced by C. trachomatis infection remains largely unknown. We performed this study to determine the involvement of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a cAMP-activated chloride channel that regulates epithelial electrolyte and fluid secretion, in hydrosalpinx fluid formation. Methods:, Western blot analysis was used to determine CFTR expression in the hydrosalpinges that were seen on the ultrasound scans of infertile assisted reproduction treatment patients. Correlation with C. trachomatis infection was done by testing patients' sera for C. trachomatis immunoglobulin G antibody titer using a Capita enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based kit. CFTR involvement was further verified in a rat C. trachomatis infection model and confirmed using CFTR mutant (CFTRtm1Unc) mice. Results:, Here we report on the up-regulated expression of CFTR in the hydrosalpinx tissues of infertile patients with detectable serum levels of C. trachomatis antibody (immunoglobulin G). In a rat model, increased CFTR expression and fluid accumulation could be observed in the uterine horns infected with C. trachomatis elementary bodies, which was reversed by antibiotics treatment. In C. trachomatis,infected CFTRtm1Unc mice, however, no detectable fluid accumulation was observed. Conclusion:, These findings suggest the involvement of CFTR in the pathogenesis of hydrosalpinx fluid formation and may provide grounds for a better treatment strategy to improve assisted reproduction treatment outcome in infertile patients with hydrosalpinx. [source] Characterization and functional analysis of PorB, a Chlamydia porin and neutralizing targetMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2000Aya Kubo A predicted protein (CT713) with weak sequence similarity to the major outer membrane protein (20.4% identity) in Chlamydia trachomatis was identified by Chlamydia genome analysis. We show that this protein is expressed, surface accessible, localized to the chlamydial outer membrane complex and functions as a porin. This protein, PorB, was highly conserved among different serovars, with nearly identical sequences between serovars D, B, C and L2. Sequence comparison between C. trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae showed less conservation between species with 59.3% identity. Immunofluorescence staining with monospecific antisera to purified PorB revealed antigen localized within chlamydial inclusions and found throughout the developmental cycle. Antibodies to PorB neutralized infectivity of C. trachomatis in an in vitro neutralization assay confirming that PorB is surface exposed. As PorB was found to be in the outer membrane, as well as having weak structural characteristics similar to major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and other porins, a liposome-swelling assay was used to determine whether this protein had pore-forming capabilities. PorB had pore-forming activity and was shown to be different from MOMP porin activity. [source] Three temporal classes of gene expression during the Chlamydia trachomatis developmental cycleMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2000E. I. Shaw The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis has a unique developmental cycle that involves functionally and morphologically distinct cell types adapted for extracellular survival and intracellular multiplication. Infection is initiated by an environmentally resistant cell type called an elementary body (EB). Over the first several hours of infection, EBs differentiate into a larger replicative form, termed the reticulate body (RB). Late in the infectious process, RBs asynchronously begin to differentiate back to EBs, which accumulate within the lumen of the inclusion until released from the host cell for subsequent rounds of infection. In an effort to characterize temporal gene expression in relation to the chlamydial developmental cycle, we have used quantitative,competitive polymerase chain reaction (QC-PCR) and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR techniques. These analyses demonstrate that C. trachomatis double their DNA content every 2,3 h, with synthesis beginning between 2 and 4 h after infection. We determined the onset of transcription of specific temporal classes of developmentally expressed genes. RT-PCR analysis was performed on several genes encoding key enzymes or components of essential biochemical pathways and functions. This comparison encompassed approximately 8% of open reading frames on the C. trachomatis genome. In analysis of total RNA samples harvested at 2, 6, 12 and 20 h after infection, using conditions under which a single chlamydial transcript per infected cell is detected, three major temporal classes of gene expression were resolved. Initiation of transcription appears to occur in three temporal classes which we have operationally defined as: early, which are detected by 2 h after infection during the germination of EBs to RBs; mid-cycle, which appear between 6 and 12 h after infection and represent transcripts expressed during the growth and multiplication of RBs; or late, which appear between 12 and 20 h after infection and represent those genes transcribed during the terminal differentiation of RBs to EBs. Collectively, the data suggest that chlamydial early gene functions are weighted toward initiation of macromolecular synthesis and the establishment of their intracellular niche by modification of the inclusion membrane. Surprisingly, representative enzymes of intermediary metabolism and structural proteins do not appear to be transcribed until 10,12 h after infection; coinciding with the onset of observed binary fission of RBs. Late gene functions appear to be predominately those associated with the terminal differentiation of RBs back to EBs. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The Combination of the Gastrointestinal Integrin (,4,7) and Selectin Ligand Enhances T-Cell Migration to the Reproductive Tract During Infection with Chlamydia trachomatisAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Kathleen A. Kelly Problem,Chlamydia trachomatis causes sexually transmitted infection and reproductive dysfunction worldwide. Identifying a population of endocervical T-cells to target in vaccine development is likely to enhance efficacy of a vaccine and reduce reproductive tract dysfunction. Method of study, Endocervical samples were obtained from young women and flow cytometric analysis was used to identify lymphocytes that appeared in the genital tract in response to sexually transmitted bacterial infections caused by C. trachomatis. Results, Increased numbers of ,4,7+CLA+ memory T-cells, a unique T-cell phenotype, were found in the endocervix of human female subjects infected with C. trachomatis. Conclusion A unique population of memory T lymphocytes expressing both ,4,7 and CLA gain access to reproductive tract tissues during a sexually transmitted infection with C. trachomatis and should be considered in development of vaccines against sexually transmitted infections. [source] Mutations in 23S rRNA and ribosomal protein L4 account for resistance in Chlamydia trachomatis strains selected in vitro by macrolide passageANDROLOGIA, Issue 4 2010H. Zhu Summary Thirteen strains of Chlamydia trachomatis were exposed to subinhibitory concentrations of erythromycin (0.5 ,g ml,1), azithromycin (0.5 ,g ml,1) and josamycin (0.04 ,g ml,1) to select macrolide-resistant mutants with serial passages. The C. trachomatis mutants presented with low-level resistance to erythromycin, azithromycin and josamycin for which a 16-fold increase, a 16-fold increase and an 8-fold increase respectively in the minimal inhibitory concentration (MICs) for the mutant strains compared with the MIC for the susceptible strains were found. The results of chemosensitivity showed that josamycin had the highest susceptibility rate compared with erythromycin and azithromycin in the treatment of C. trachomatis. The ribosomal protein L4 and 23S rRNA genes of the susceptible and resistant strains of C. trachomatis were partially sequenced. A double mutation was found in ribosomal protein L4 of the mutants, leading to Pro109(CCG),Leu(CTG), and Pro151(CCG),Ala(GCC) (Escherichia coli numbering) in the corresponding protein, but these mutations were also found in parent strains. An investigation into the sequences of 23S rRNAs in the mutants revealed point mutations of A2057G, A2059G and T2611C (E. coli numbering). These results suggest that point mutations located in 23S rRNA were associated with macrolide resistance in C. trachomatis. [source] May Chlamydia trachomatis be an aetiological agent of chronic prostatic infection?ANDROLOGIA, Issue 3 2010V. Ouzounova-Raykova Summary Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial disease. The objective of this study was to establish the presence/absence of C. trachomatis in 98 patients with chronic complaints about the prostate and to evaluate the role of this bacterium in the inflammation of the gland. We performed culture and microscopical examination of pre-massage/post-massage urine and expressed prostatic secretions (EPS). In all cases, culture on McCoy cells and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the EPS was performed. Based on laboratory findings in 53 cases (54.08%), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus were isolated and accepted as causative agents of chronic bacterial prostatitis. Forty-five patients were categorised as patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The results from the PCR and the cell culture for detection of C. trachomatis were as follows , two positive probes detected at the same time by applying PCR and cultivation and 1 positive only by PCR but not by cultivation on the cell line. Based on these results, it is concluded that C. trachomatis is not so frequently detected in our patients. C. trachomatis may be accepted as one of the aetiological agents of chronic prostatitis and testing for this infection is highly recommended when presumption for chronic prostatitis is apparent. [source] Chlamydia trachomatis infection as a problem among male partners of infertile couplesANDROLOGIA, Issue 1 2009V. Ouzounova-Raykova Summary Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease supposed to cause urethritis, epididymitis, prostatitis and infertility in men. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of C. trachomatis infection in male partners of infertile couples at childbearing age. Sixty infertile couples and a control group of 40 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Urethral swabs were taken from all the male participants and cervical swabs from the female partners of the infertile couples. Culturing on McCoy cell line and PCR were the methods used for detection of the infection. C. trachomatis was found in five out of the 60 male urethral samples. Three of the female partners of these five positive males were diagnosed with C. trachomatis infection, too. We registered a woman with C. trachomatis infection whose partner's samples were negative for the bacterium. The control group showed one specimen positive for C. trachomatis. The frequency of C. trachomatis infection was 8.3% in the male partners of infertile couples at childbearing age when compared with 2.5% in the control group. It is most likely that infertility in the couples with chlamydial infection was due to the pathogen studied. [source] Urogenital infections in reproductive medicineANDROLOGIA, Issue 2 2008S. Dieterle Summary Urogenital infections with Chlamydia trachomatis belong to the most prevalent sexually-transmitted bacterial diseases. In women, they can cause chronic salpingitis with subsequent tubal infertility and ectopic pregnancies. In men, C. trachomatis can cause urethritis, prostatitis and epididymitis. Urogenital infections can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Symptomatic urogenital infections might impair male fertility. In vitro, C. trachomatis affects sperm motility and viability. However, there is no clear evidence that asymptomatic urogenital infections have an adverse effect on male fertility. Because C. trachomatis can be sexually transmitted and lead to female infertility, it is also of significance in male infertility work-up. Because of their high sensitivity, nucleic acid amplification tests should be used to examine first-void urine specimens. Both partners should be treated. The role of Ureaplasma urealyticum in reproductive medicine has been discussed controversially. There is no evidence that U. urealyticum has a significant impact on female or male infertility. [source] Chlamydia trachomatis survival in the presence of two fluoroquinolones (lomefloxacin versus levofloxacin) in patients with chronic prostatitis syndromeANDROLOGIA, Issue 2-3 2005V. Smelov Summary Fluoroquinolones are recommended in the therapy of chronic prostatitis. Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the possible aetiological agents of chronic prostatitis. However, little is known about chlamydia survival in the presence of fluoroquinolones in patients with chronic prostatitis syndrome. For the first time, chlamydia survival in vitro in the presence of lomefloxacin (LOMX) (mostly recommended in the treatment of chronic prostatitis) versus levofloxacin (LVFX) (recommended in the therapy against chlamydia infection) is examined and analysed in the 33 chlamydia-infected patients with chronic prostatitis syndrome in this study. Antichlamydial activity in vitro of LOMX in patients with C. trachomatis and prostatitis was found to be more effective than LVFX. However, further clinical trials for these agents are recommended. [source] Update on the impact of Chlamydia trachomatis infection on male fertilityANDROLOGIA, Issue 1 2004G. F. Gonzales Summary. With approximately 90 million cases annually, infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial disease in the world. Considering that these infections are often asymptomatic and cause major complications like acute pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility or infant pneumonia, the estimated costs for diagnosis and treatment in the USA amounts to 2.2 million US dollars for each 500 cases. Therefore, there is a high need for correct, quick and cost-effective diagnosis and treatment of this urogenital tract infection. New innovative therapies provide good results with regard to efficacy and patients' compliance. The success rates of treatments are at least 95%. However, the occurrence of antibiotic resistance should not be ignored and new treatment schemes must be developed. The state-of-the-art of diagnosis and treatment of chlamydial infections as well as the pathophysiology is discussed in this review. In conclusion, infections with C. trachomatis is an important public health problem, especially in third world and developing countries, and more socio-economic studies linking secondary prevention of chlamydial infections, infertility and adverse pregnancy outcome are needed to understand more of its aetiology. In addition, diagnosis and treatment should be improved. Data in men revealed that past infections but not present infections are more related to male infertility. There is still controversial results. In future studies, function of the seminal vesicles and evaluation of the antioxidant capacity should be taken into account when role of C. trachomatis infection on male fertility is assessed. [source] Acrosome reaction in Chlamydia-positive and negative patientsANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2003A. Jungwirth Summary. Chlamydia trachomatis infections might have a detrimental effect on various sperm functions. Data concerning the effect of C. trachomatis on the capacitation activity of sperms are lacking. The study was undertaken to evaluate whether chlamydial infection influences acromsome reaction (AR). Three groups of men were investigated for ARs - Chlamydia negative (n = 46) and positive (n = 30) patients, and healthy men (n = 53) undergoing vasectomy. The fluorescence technique for the evaluation of AR was applied. The normal range for the induction of AR was assumed ,AR > 12.5% for this technique. Seminal plasma was examined for IgA antibodies against C. trachomatis. There was a significant difference in AR between healthy volunteers, Chlamydia-negative and Chlamydia- positive patients. ,ARs were 15.8 ± 1.6% in healthy volunteers versus 12.15 ± 2.4% in Chlamydia- negative and 9.08 ± 1.8% in Chlamydia- positive patients, respectively (P <0.05). Significant elevated titres of C. trachomatis- specific IgA in seminal plasma showed a negative correlation with the AR of spermatozoa. AR seems to be a valuable marker, especially in couples with idiopathic infertility. [source] Retesting and follow-up of first-catch urines from men yield variable results with three Chlamydia trachomatis nucleic acid amplification testsAPMIS, Issue 11 2000SVEIN ARNE NordbØ First-catch urines from 276 asymptomatic male military recruits were screened by polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. Eight initially positive specimens were retested by polymerase chain reaction, ligase chain reaction and transcription-mediated amplification. Urine specimens from six (2.2%) subjects were considered to contain C. trachomatis. However, retesting of serially collected urines from five of these six subjects using different nucleic acid amplification methods showed some discrepancy. This may have a major impact on the efficacy of screening programs for C trachomatis in low prevalence populations. [source] Expedited partner therapy for Chlamydia trachomatis at the community pharmacyBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 9 2010ST Cameron Please cite this paper as: Cameron S, Glasier A, Muir A, Scott G, Johnstone A, Quarrell H, Oroz C, McIntyre M, Miranda D, Todd G. Expedited partner therapy for Chlamydia trachomatis at the community pharmacy. BJOG 2010;117:1074,1079. Objective, Expedited partner treatment (EPT) for uncomplicated Chlamydia trachomatis at the pharmacy is an alternative approach to partner notification that has not yet been evaluated within the UK. The aim of this study was to evaluate EPT for partners using pharmacies in Lothian. Design, A pilot study over 18 months. Setting, Selected healthcare settings and community pharmacies in Lothian, Scotland, UK. Population, Sexual partners of index cases with uncomplicated C. trachomatis. Methods, Index cases with uncomplicated C. trachomatis were given a pharmacy voucher to pass onto sexual partners. Partners could redeem vouchers for free treatment (azithromycin) at one of 90 pharmacies in the area. Main outcome measures, The main outcome measure was the proportion of vouchers redeemed. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction, as determined at a telephone follow-up of a subgroup of female index cases from one study site, 1 month later. Results, In total 577 vouchers were issued to chlamydia-positive index patients of mean age 22.9 years (range 15,47 years). A total of 231 vouchers were redeemed (40%), at a median of 2 days after issue. Only 4% of partners attended a clinic for treatment. Most index patients surveyed reported that partners were satisfied with this method of treatment (48 out of 55; 87%). Conclusions, Expedited partner treatment for uncomplicated chlamydia at a pharmacy is a popular choice, and increases options on where, when and how partners are treated. [source] The association between Mycoplasma genitalium and pelvic inflammatory disease after termination of pregnancyBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2010C Bjartling Please cite this paper as: Bjartling C, Osser S, Persson K. The association between Mycoplasma genitalium and pelvic inflammatory disease after termination of pregnancy. BJOG 2010;117:361,364. The prevalence and complications of Mycoplasma genitalium and Chlamydia trachomatis infections among women undergoing termination of pregnancy were studied in this nested case,control study at Malmo University Hospital, Sweden, during 2003 to 2007. The study comprised 2079 women presenting for termination of pregnancy. Forty-nine women with M. genitalium infection and 51 women with C. trachomatis infection, together with 168 negative control women, were evaluated. The prevalences of M. genitalium and C. trachomatis were 2.5% and 2.8%, respectively. The M. genitalium was strongly associated with post-termination pelvic inflammatory disease (odds ratio 6.29, 95% CI 1.56,25.2). The increased risk for pelvic inflammatory disease associated with M. genitalium infection after termination of pregnancy suggests a causal relationship. [source] Chlamydia trachomatis -infected host cells resist dsRNA-induced apoptosisCELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 9 2010Linda Böhme Summary Human pathogenic Chlamydia trachomatis have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate host cell signalling pathways in order to prevent apoptosis. We show here that host cells infected with C. trachomatis resist apoptosis induced by polyI:C, a synthetic double-stranded RNA that mimics viral infections. Infected cells displayed significantly reduced levels of PARP cleavage, caspase-3 activation and a decrease in the TUNEL positive population in the presence of polyI:C. Interestingly, the chlamydial block of apoptosis was upstream of the initiator caspase-8. Processing of caspase-8 was reduced in infected cells and coincided with a decrease in Bid truncation and downstream caspase-9 cleavage. Moreover, the enzymatic activity of caspase-8, measured by a luminescent substrate, was significantly reduced in infected cells. Caspase-8 inhibition by Chlamydia was dependent on cFlip as knock-down of cFlip decreased the chlamydial block of caspase-8 activation and consequently reduced apoptosis inhibition. Our data implicate that chlamydial infection interferes with the host cell's response to viral infections and thereby influences the fate of the cell. [source] Immune-mediated control of Chlamydia infectionCELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Nadia R. Roan Summary Infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis can lead to a variety of diseases, including ectopic pregnancy, infertility and blindness. Exposure of the host to C. trachomatis stimulates multiple innate and adaptive immune effectors that can contribute towards controlling bacterial replication. However, these effectors are often insufficient to resolve the infection and prevent re-infection, and the continued presence of C. trachomatis within the host may induce immune effectors to chronically produce inflammatory cytokines. This may eventually lead to the tissue pathologies associated with the infection. Reducing the incidence and sequelae of infection will ultimately require the development of a C. trachomatis vaccine that can stimulate sterilizing immunity while avoiding immune-mediated pathology. [source] Human GCIP interacts with CT847, a novel Chlamydia trachomatis type III secretion substrate, and is degraded in a tissue-culture infection modelCELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 10 2007Blandine Chellas-Géry Summary The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis occupies a parasitophorous vacuole and employs a type III secretion mechanism to translocate host-interactive proteins. These proteins most likely contribute to pathogenesis through modulation of host cell mechanisms crucial for the establishment and maintenance of a permissive intracellular environment. Using a surrogate Yersinia type III secretion system (T3SS), we have identified the conserved gene product CT847 as a chlamydial T3SS substrate. Yeast two-hybrid studies using CT847 as bait to screen a HeLa cell cDNA library identified an interaction with mammalian Grap2 cyclin D- interacting protein (GCIP). Immunoblot analyses of C. trachomatis -infected HeLa cells showed that GCIP levels begin to decrease (as compared with mock-infected HeLa cells) between 8 h and 12 h post infection. GCIP was virtually undetectable in 24 h time point material. This decrease was inhibited by proteasome inhibitors lactacystin and MG-132, and the T3SS inhibitor Compound 1. CT847 was detectible in purified reticulate body but not elementary body lysates, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) expression analyses indicate a mid-cycle expression pattern. Both of these findings are consistent with CT847 contributing to the observed effect on GCIP. Given the established roles of GCIP, we believe that we have discovered a novel C. trachomatis antihost protein whose activity is relevant to chlamydial pathogenesis. [source] Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2 in cervical samples in human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative womenCLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 9 2006R. R. Finan Abstract This study investigated whether the prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) in association with Chlamydia trachomatis, herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and/or HSV-2 was greater in high-grade than in low-grade or control cervical biopsy specimens. HPV-positive (n = 86) and HPV-negative (n = 213) women were screened for HPV, HSV and C. trachomatis by PCR. The most common HPV genotypes were HPV-16, HPV-6 and HPV-33; mixed HPV infection (n = 12) was also seen. A higher prevalence of C. trachomatis, HSV-1 and HSV-2 was found in HPV-positive samples. High-risk HPV genotypes and combined HPV + C. trachomatis or HPV + HSV-1, but not HSV-2, infections were associated with a greater risk of developing cervical carcinoma. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||