Membrane proteins PmpG and PmpH are major constituents of Chlamydia trachomatis L2 outer membrane complex

The outer membrane complex of Chlamydia is involved in the initial adherence and ingestion of Chlamydia by the host cell. In order to identify novel proteins in the outer membrane of Chlamydia trachomatis L2, proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. By silver staining of the protein profile, a major protein doublet of 100-110 kDa was detected. In-gel tryptic digestion and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry identified these proteins as the putative outer membrane proteins PmpG and PmpH.     

Chlamydia trachomatis: identification of susceptibility markers for ocular and sexually transmitted infection by immunogenetics

The aim of this review is to present a concise overview of all data available on the immunogenetics of Chlamydia trachomatis infections, both sexually transmitted urogenital and ocular infections. Currently, candidate gene approaches are used to identify genes related to the susceptibility to and severity of C. trachomatis infections. The main focus in the review will be on data obtained by the study of human cohorts.     

Prevalence, genetic conservation and transmissibility of the Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteriophage (phiCpn1)

The Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteriophage was first identified in isolate AR-39. Its relevance for chlamydial biology and pathogenicity remains unknown. In this study, a collection of 36 C. pneumoniae isolates was screened and the phage was detected in eight. As the positive isolates differed by several polymorphisms, they presumably belonged to different genetic lineages. It was investigated whether different genotypes of the phage also existed and whether they could be assigned to chlamydial genotypes as evidence of coevolution. Sequencing of >3000 bp of the 4524 bp phage genome revealed complete identity to the published sequences. Thus, it was hypothesized that the genetic conservation was related to easy transmissibility of the phage between C. pneumoniae isolates. Cocultivation of phage positive and negative isolates followed by cloning and identification of different C. pneumoniae genotypes demonstrated for the first time transmissibility of the bacteriophage from one isolate to the other. These observations indicate that the phage is capable of infecting C. pneumoniae isolates of different genetic backgrounds and suggest that all C. pneumoniae strains might be susceptible. The successful in vitro infection of C. pneumoniae with the phage provides the basis for studying its pathogenetic relevance in isolates of identical genetic background and provides a potential tool for genetic manipulation of C. pneumoniae.     

A recombinant multivalent combination vaccine protects against Chlamydia and genital herpes

Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) genital infections pose a considerable public health challenge worldwide. Considering the high incidence of coinfections by the two pathogens, a combination vaccine that can be administered as a single regimen would be highly desirable. Recombinant Vibrio cholerae ghosts (rVCG) offer an attractive approach for the induction of humoral and cellular immune responses against human and animal pathogens. In this study, we evaluated a bivalent combination vaccine formulation comprising rVCG expressing chlamydial MOMP and HSV-2 glycoprotein D in mice for immunogenicity and protective efficacy against genital challenge with either pathogen. Mice immunized with the combination vaccine elicited secretory IgA and IgG2a antibodies to both chlamydial and HSV-2 antigens in serum and vaginal secretions. Robust antigen-specific mucosal and systemic T helper type 1 responses were induced in mice as measured by increased interferon-gamma levels produced by immune T cells in response to restimulation with target antigen in vitro. In addition, mice immunized with the combination vaccine were prophylactically protected from genital challenge with high doses of live Chlamydia and HSV-2. Thus, the combination vaccine regimen delivered by rVCG elicited adequate immune effectors that simultaneously protected against the individual pathogens.     

Induction of proinflammatory cytokines in human osteoblastic cells by Chlamydia pneumoniae

Chlamydia pneumoniae is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes recurrent pharyngitis, pneumonia and chronic inflammation induced by cycles of persistence and productive infection that might also explain the association with chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether C. pneumoniae can invade and survive within human osteoblasts and whether this infection elicits the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines.Our results demonstrated that C. pneumoniae was able to infect the SaOS-2 osteoblastic cell line and to replicate in the osteoblasts in a time-dependent manner and was associated to an increase in the cell number and cell viability.In addition, infection of the SaOS-2 cell line with C. pneumoniae at MOI of 4 is correlated to a proinflammatory response. Infected osteoblasts produced increased levels of cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, and IL-23. The production of cytokines increased with subsequent interaction between osteoblasts and monocytes and the maximum levels of cytokines released were detected 72 h after infection with C. pneumoniae. Thus, controlling the release of chemokines, e.g., IL-23, may be a therapeutic strategy for preventing inflammatory bone disease and counteract inflammation and bone destruction.     

Chlamydia trachomatis pulmonary infection induces greater inflammatory pathology in immunoglobulin A deficient mice

Chlamydia trachomatis is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that primarily infects via mucosal surfaces. Using mice with a targeted disruption in IgA gene expression (IgA(-/-) mice), we have studied the contribution of IgA, the principal mucosal antibody isotype, in primary immune defenses against pulmonary C. trachomatis infection. Bacterial burden was comparable between IgA(-/-) and IgA(+/+) animals following C. trachomatis challenge. Serum and pulmonary anti-Chlamydia antibody levels were higher in IgA(-/-) animals, with the exception of IgA. Lung sections of challenged IgA(-/-) mice showed more extensive immunopathology than corresponding IgA(+/+) animals. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated significantly greater IFN-gamma and TGF-beta mRNA expression in IgA(-/-) as compared to IgA(+/+) animals. Together, these results suggest that IgA may not be necessary for clearance of primary C. trachomatis infection. However, IgA(-/-) mice displayed exaggerated lung histopathology and altered cytokine production, indicating an important role for IgA in regulating C. trachomatis induced pulmonary inflammation and maintenance of mucosal homeostasis.     

Effects of glucocorticoids on the respiratory burst of Chlamydia-primed THP-1 cells

We previously observed that the respiratory burst of human monocytes (THP-1 cell line) triggered by phorbol myristate acetate was strongly enhanced by a priming of the cells by Chlamydia pneumoniae [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 287 (2001) 781]. We describe here the modifications of the responses of Chlamydia-primed THP-1 cells to hydrocortisone (HCT) and methylprednisolone (MPL). HCT and MPL inhibited the production of the cytokines TNFα and IL-8. But HCT, which inhibited the respiratory burst in LPS-primed monocytes, paradoxically stimulated the phenomenon in Chlamydia-primed cells; MPL exerted no significant effect. Both glucocorticoids did not significantly modify the triggering effect of Chlamydia on NF-κB binding activity. On the expression of p22^phox, a protein subunit of the NADPH oxidase, HCT had an increasing and MPL a decreasing effect. Glucocorticoids thus had unexpected effects on the inflammatory response of Chlamydia-primed monocytes.     

16S和23S rDNA基因序列分析分类鉴定中国衣原体流行株

通过分析比较部分16S/23S rDNA序列,对现有保存的9株国内衣原体流行株进行了分子遗传学鉴定。虽然这些分离株分离自不同的动物,但它们的16S/23S扩增部分完全相同,经16S/23S rDNA序列同源性比较可以一致鉴定国内流行株为鹦鹉热嗜衣原体。     

儿童泌尿系感染的病原学分析

探讨目前儿童泌尿系感染病原体的变化趋势,为临床治疗提供实验依据。分析2008年1月至2009年10月住院治疗的357例尿细菌培养、支原体体外培养、衣原体检测阳性的泌尿系感染患儿病原体的分布情况。结果显示,尿细菌培养和支原体体外培养、衣原体检测前未应用过抗生素的患儿其阳性率为82.2%,而应用过抗生素的患儿其阳性率为31.8%,两者相比具有统计学意义(P0.01)。在检测的357例阳性标本中,革兰阴性杆菌占74.7%,其中以大肠埃希菌为主,占46.2%;革兰阳性球菌占14.8%,其中肠球菌占10.9%;真菌占3.1%,支原体占4.8%,衣原体占2.5%。临床要密切关注儿童泌尿系感染病原体的分布变迁情况,以便于为临床的诊断和治疗提供可靠的实验依据。