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Chlamydia Species - General Characteristics (view source)
Revision as of 21:13, 5 November 2010
, 21:13, 5 November 2010→Bacterial Characteristics
==Pathogenesis and Pathogenicity==
The elementary body enters the host epithelial cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis. It is subsequently transformation into a larger reticulate body within endosome known as an '''inclusion''', which divides by binary fission to form many new chlamydia cells. The reticulate bodies mature and condense to form elementary bodies which are released from the dying host cells approximately 72 hours after infection to infect other cells. Persistent infections can occur if replication is delayed by environmental conditions such as the presence of interferon gamma.
Many infections are subclinical due to the intracellular existence of ''chlamydia'' which avoids the body's inflammatory response. Chronic infections may fail to induce any immune response, or may repeatedly stimulate the immune system, causing a delayed hypersensitivity reaction and tissue damage. Prolonged faecal shedding of organisms is a common sequelae. Clinical signs of infection depend on the route of infection and degree of exposure.
Clinical infections can occur in non-natural host species.
==Diagnosis of Infection==
*Direct microscopy of smears and tissues e.g. organs from aborted foetuses, liver/spleen from avian cases
*Direct microscopy of smears and tissues e.g. organs from aborted foetuses, liver/spleen from avian cases
*Kosters (modified Ziehl-Neelsen) stain of placental smears shows small red rods
*Kosters (modified Ziehl-Neelsen) stain of placental smears shows small red rods