Nonculturable + Spirochetes Flashcards
Chlamydia spp. replication cycle
There are two forms: elementary body (EB) and reticulate body (RB)
1. The EB (infective form) attaches to specific host cell receptors
2. The EB is ingested through endocytosis and resides in host phagosome
3. The EB reorganizes and forms a RB
4. The RBs replicate by binary fission and the phagosome enlarges into an inclusion
5. The RBs reorganize to form EBs and the host cell ruptures, releasing EBs
Chlamydia spp. characteristics
nonmotile, GN, obligate intracellular parasites (rely on host for energy), only grow and replicate inside animal or human cells
Which species of Chlamydia cause disease in humans?
C. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae, and C. psittaci
What are the different serovars of C. trachomatis and what diseases do they cause?
- Serovars A, B, Ba, and C cause trachoma (eye infection) - Major cause of blindness in endemic areas
- Serovars L1, L2, and L3 cause lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) - STD
- Serovards D-K cause genital tract infections
Trachoma
chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva, resulting from contact with secretions on towels, fingers, or flies
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)
STD that leads to acute lymphadenitis, causing the inguinal lymph nodes to fill with pus and swell (bubo); can lead to chronic LGV, resulting in severe damage to the genital and rectal areas
Symptoms from Serovars D-K
many are asymptomatic; causes nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) in men; can cause epididymitis, prostatitis, proctitis, urethritis, cervicitis, endometritis, PID, infected fallopian tubes, and infertility in women
Can cause inclusion conjunctivitis in adults and newborns
Can cause pneumonia in newborns
What is the difference between trachoma and inclusion conjunctivitis?
Inclusion conjunctivitis does NOT lead to blindness
Specimen for Chlamydia culture
Specimens must have host epithelial cells; – Swabs: endocervical, urethral, and conjunctival can be submitted for culture by removing any secretions and discharge and then vigorously swabbing the mucosal surface; no wood shaft swabs
- Cytological brush of endocervical material
- Biopsy
- Lower respiratory tract secretions
- Aspirates from buboes
Specimen transport and storage for Chlamydia culture
Transport Media with 2-sucrose phosphate (2SP) and sucrose glutamate phosphate;
NO VTM only UTM
Should be REF or Frozen
Chlamydia Culture Set Up
- Vortex clinical specimen w/ 5mm glass beads or use sonication to break up host cells
- Centrifuge the specimen onto the cell monolayer (shell vial)
- After 48-72 hr of incubation at 37C, monolayers are stained with iodine or for DFA test
Nonculture detection methods for Chlamydia (more common)
DFA test, EIA, NAAT, or Giemsa-stained smears for newborns
Recommended testing for diagnosis of Chlamydia infection
Positive culture is a definitive diagnosis
Nonculture methods need to be confirmed with culture or a second nonculture method
It is recommended that asymptomatic individuals, rectal specimen, medicolegal cases, and nasopharyngeal specimens from infants all have cultures done
Serology for Chlamydia
Urogenital tract infections cannot be diagnosed with serology because antibodies can be from a previous infection
Serological tests are good for neonatal pneumonia (C. pneumonia) and for LGV
C. psittaci characteristics
uncommon cause of human infections, generally in birds; “parrot fever”
Infection from inhalation of aerosols from birds, causing pneumonia, headache, mental changes, and hepatoslenomegaly
C. pneumoniae characteristics
common respiratory pathogen that causes flulike illness, pneumonia, bronchitis, pharyngitis, and sinusitis
How are species of Chlamydia differentiated from each other?
C. trachomatis: EB is round, inclusion is round, vacuolar, contains glycogen, and has plasmid DNA; susceptible to sulfonamides
C. psittaci: EB is round, inclusion is dense, w/o glycogen, and has plasmid DNA; resistant to sulfonamides
C. pneumoniae: EB is pear-shaped, inclusion is round, dense, w/o glyogen, and lacks plasmid DNA; resistant to sulfonamides
Rickettsia spp. characteristics
nonmotile, pleomorphic, GNCB, obligate intracellular parasites transmitted to humans by arthropods (no intracellular development unlike Chlamydia)
How are humans infected by Rickettsia spp.?
- The bite from an infected arthropod vector deposites the organism directly into the bloodstream, where endothelial cells from blood vessels engulf it
- Once engulfed, they are carried into the cell’s vacuole cytoplasm
- They multiply, leading to cell injury and death
What are the three groups of Rickettsia spp.?
Spotted-fever group: fever, headache, rash from ticks (except R. akari from mouse mites)
Typhus group: causes typhus
Scrub typhus group: causes scrub typhus
Spotted-fever group species and diagnosis
R. rickettsii: Rocky mountain spotted fever (RMSF) from ticks; diagnosed with serology, PCR, RFLP, or immunohistology
R. conorii: In Europe, Middle East, and Africa; same diagnosis
R. parkeri: mild illness in North and South America; diagnosed with immunohistochemical serology and PCR
Typhus group
Diagnosed with serology, PCR, and RFLP
R. prowazekii: spread worldwide by lice; two types: epidemic typhus (initial infection) and Brill-Zinsser (recurrence)
R. typhi: spread worldwide by fleas; causes murine typhus (endemic typhus)
Scrub Typhus group
R. tsutsugamushi: spread in Asia and Australia from chiggers (mite larvae in rodents)
Diagnosed with serology or PCR
Ehrlichia spp. characteristics
Pleomorphic, GN, obligate intracellular pathogens found in cytoplasmic vacuoles; follows a similar replication cycle as Chlamydia (forms inclusions called morulae); from ticks in the United States
E. chaffeensis characteristics
causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME); symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, rash, and malaise; diagnosed with serology, PCR, immunocytology, and immunohistology
E. ewingii characteristics
causes ehrlichiosis; diagnosed with PCR; less common