Glucose Metabolism of L Cells Before and After Infection with Chlamydia psittaci

Glucose was not utilized at significantly different rates in suspensions of multiplying and nonmultiplying adult mouse fibroblasts (L cells). Infection of L cells with Chlamydia psittaci (strain meningopneumonitis) increased the rates of glucose utilization and lactate accumulation during the first 24 hr after infection without changing the rates of glucose utilization by the pentose or tricarboxylic acid cycles. It was concluded that the increased aerobic glycolysis represented a host response to infection and not a parasite activity. The 6BC strain of C. psittaci and the mouse pneumonitis strain of C. trachomatis produced similar changes in the glucose metabolism of L-cells. These results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that chlamydiae generate to metabolic energy of their own and live by exploiting the energy-rich compounds produced by their hosts.