Chlamydia. Genus Chlamydophila

Question 1

Classification

Answer 1

Family: Chlamydiacea

Genus: Chlamydiphila

Species:
C.pneumoniae

C. Psittaci

Question 2

Morphology

Answer 2

C.pneumonia

Same as C.trichomatis

C. Psittaci

Same as C. Trichomatis

Question 3

Growth characteristics

Answer 3

C.pneumonia

Same as C.trichomatis

C. Psittaci

Same as C. Trichomatis

Question 4

Habitat and transmission

Answer 4

C.pneumonia

• Habitat is human respiratory tract
• Transmission is by respiratory aerosol

C.psittaci

• habitat is birds (psittacine and others)
• transmission is via aerosol of dried bird faeces
  > bird droppings

Question 5

Virulence factors

Answer 5

No toxins or virulence factors known

Question 6

Disease

Answer 6

C.pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia = walking pneumonia —> affects adults

• most common in the elderly

C. Psittaci

Psittacosis = atypical pneumonia

Question 7

Microbiological diagnosis

Answer 7

C.pneumonia

Serologic tests for antibody in patient’s serum

C. Psittaci

Serologic tests for antibody in patient’s serum

Cytoplasmic inclusion seen by Giemsa or fluorescent antibody staining

Organism can be isolated from sputum, but this is rarely done

Question 8

Treatment and prevention

Answer 8

C.pneumoniae

Tetracycline (doxycycline)
Macrolide —> 2nd line

C. Psittaci

Tetracycline

Prevention

No vaccination