Chlamydia Flashcards
General characteristics of chlamydia
obligate intracellular bacteria
gram neg- cocci or rod
Describe the elementary body form of chlamydia
metabolically inactive
infectious form
Describe the reticulate body form of chlamydia
metabolically active
reproductive form
Transmission of chlamydia
inhalation or interpersonal contact
Is chlamydia easily culturable?
no - can only be grown in yolk sacs or in cell culture
OBLIGATE INTRACEULLUAR PATHOGEN
Virulence factors of chlamydia
heamaglutinin
endotoxin
CMI causing tissue damage and inflammation
How do chlamydia cells enter the host?
enter as elementary bodies using receptor-mediated endocytosis
Where in the host cell does chlamydia reproduce?
host cell cytoplasm
Can chlamydia be shed in feces?
yes - for a long time
Laboratory diagnosis of chlamydia
wright-giema stain or modified ziehl-neelsen
PCR
IHC
ELISA
FA
culture
What are some concerns with serological tests for chlamydia?
concern with cross-reactivity of antibodies with other gram-neg bacteria
Treatment for chlamydia infections
quarantine
tetracyclines and fluorquinolones
concerns with bacterial clearance
Hosts of C. psittaci
birds
sheep
goat
pigs
cattle
humans
cats
What does C. psittaci cause in birds?
Psittacosis
parrot fever
AC
ornithosis
systemic illness
Symptoms of C. psittaci in birds
variable
lethargy
anorexia
ruffled feathers
death
ocular or nasal disacharge
diarrhea
green/yelllow urates
pericarditis, airsaculitis
hepatomegaly