Chlamydiae as pathogens: new species and new issues.

Peeling RW,      Brunham RC     

Chlamydia pneumoniae
Chlamydia psittaci
Chlamydia trachomatis
Chlamydia Infections
Ornithosis
Antibiotics, Macrolide
Antibiotics, Tetracycline
Asthma
Atherosclerosis
Azithromycin

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
Clarithromycin
Host-Parasite Relations
Human
Polymorphism (Genetics)
Tetracycline
Review
Review, Tutorial
Medline Database
Healthstar Database

Abstract
The recognition of genital chlamydial infection as an important public health problem was made first by the recognition of its role in acute clinical syndromes, as well as in serious reproductive and ocular complications, and secondly by our awareness of its prevalence when diagnostic tests became widely accessible.  The recent availability of effective single dose oral antimicrobial therapy and sensitive molecular amplification tests that allow the use of noninvasive specimens for diagnosis and screening is expected to have a major impact in reducing the prevalence of disease in the next decade.  Clinical manifestations associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae infection continue to emerge beyond respiratory illness.  In particular, its association with atherosclerosis deserves further investigation.  Chlamydia pecorum, a pathogen of ruminants, was recently recognized as a new species.  The continued application of molecular techniques will likely elucidate an expanding role for chlamydiae in human and animal diseases, delineate the phylogenetic relationships among chlamydial species and within the eubacteria domain, and provide tools for detection and control of chlamydial infections.

Laboratory Centre for Disease Control Health
Winnipeg
Manitoba
Canada. rosanna_peeling@isdtcp3.hwc.ca