Clinical Study of Continuous Infection in the Urogenital System of Chlamydiae trachomatis

Objective： To analyze the causes of persistent infection of Chlamydia trachomatis in the urogenital system. Method： We followed 223 patients with Chlamydia trachomatis infection who were treated regularly. Result： After treatment, 22.87% of cases still tested positive. After one year and change of treatment regime,4.48% of cases remained positive, most of whom were female. Conclusion： The course of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the urogenital system is varied. This diversity has many causes including immunocompetence the characteristics of chalmydia trchomatis infection and genetic resistance.

Growth of RB Population in the Conversion Phase of Chlamydia Life Cycle

Upon infecting a host cell,the reticulate body(RB)form of the Chlamydia bacteria simply proliferates by binary fission for an extended period.Available data show only RB units in the infected cells 20 hours post infection(hpi),spanning nearly half way through the development cycle.With data collected every 4 hpi,conversion to the elementary body(EB)form begins abruptly at a rapid rate sometime around 24 hpi.By modeling proliferation and conversion as simple birth and death processes,it has been shown that the optimal strategy for maximizing the total(mean)EB population at host cell lysis time is a bang-bang control qualitatively replicating the observed conversion activities.However,the simple birth and death model for the RB proliferation and conversion to EB deviates in a significant way from the available data on the evolution of the RB population after the onset of RB-to-EB conversion.By working with a more refined model that takes into account a small size threshold eligibility requirement for conversion noted in the available data,we succeed in removing the deficiency of the previous models on the evolution of the RB population without affecting the optimal bang-bang conversion strategy.

Molecular Detection of Pathogens Involved in Sexually Transmitted Infections in Brazzaville, Congo

The objective of this multicentric study was to assess the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma génitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis infections in Brazzaville, in the Republic of Congo, using molecular methods. From January to December 2021, the sexually transmitted disease risk participants were recruited from six centers: The Association of Young HIV-Positive People of Congo, The Congolese Association for Family Welfare, The Association for Support to Vulnerable Groups, Talangaï hospital, Brazzaville university hospital (outpatient service) and the private clinic COGEMO (outpatient service). The real-time multiplex PCR was carried out to detect these pathogens. Each patient had at least one specimen (urine, urethral, anal and/or vaginal samples). The patients were considered infected when one of their samples was positive. 287 participants made of 227 women and 60 men were tested. The general prevalence of these infections was: Chlamydia trachomatis 2.79%, Neisseria gonorrhoeae 3.14%, Mycoplasma génitalium 3.45% and Trichomonas vaginalis 2.97. The prevalence rates according to sex were: C. trachomatis, M. génitalium, N. gonorrhea and T. vaginalis were 1.32%, 2.05%, 1.32% and 3.42% in women and 8.33%, 7.02%, 10% and 1.75% in men, respectively. Most infected patients were asymptomatic. Prevalence rates were higher in bisexual individuals, with the exception of T. vaginalis which showed higher prevalence in heterosexual patients. The bisexual and homosexual individuals represent a major public health problem in sexually active young adults, particularly among men having sex with men. These sexually transmitted infections are mainly asymptomatic, their diagnosis and management remain difficult in developing countries.

Co-infection of Chlamydia psittaci and Tropheryma whipplei: A case report

BACKGROUND The co-infection of Chlamydia psittaci(C.psittaci)and Tropheryma whipplei(T.whipplei)is unusual,and the detection of pathogenic microorganisms is particularly important for patients with severe diseases or poor experience in treatment.Early identification of pathogens can significantly improve the prognosis of the patients.Targeted next-generation sequencing(tNGS)is currently widely used in clinical practice for various infectious diseases,including respiratory infections,to achieve early,accurate,and rapid microbial diagnosis.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a 40-year-old female patient with a history of contact with parrots who was diagnosed with C.psittaci and T.whipplei infection through bronchial lavage fluid targeted next generation sequencing.After moxifloxacin treatment,the patient's symptoms improved significantly,and the imaging changes were obviously resolved.CONCLUSION Coinfection with C.psittaci and T.whipplei is not common.In this case,timely and accurate identification of both pathogens was achieved using tNGS.Moreover,the efficacy of monotherapy with moxifloxacin was confirmed.

Seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Women of Procreate Age in the Mayo-Boneye Department in Chad

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis infections constitute a major public health problem, particularly in women. The objective of this study is to identify Chlamydia trachomatis to improve the health of women in the Department of Mayo-Boneye. Methodology: This is a prospective observational study that took place from October to December 2021, including 168 patients with their sociodemographic characteristics. The venous blood of the patients was collected in dry tubes and centrifuged to obtain the serum. The Chlamydia IgG Rapid Test Cassette was used for the detection of antibodies to Chlamydia infection. The Epi Info 7TM software was used to perform the statistical analyses. Results: A total of 168 patients were included in this study. The average age was 26.36 ± 9.21 years, the median was 25.5 years with the extremes of 14 years and 70 years. Among these patients, 46.43% were illiterate, 5.95% and 20.83% were primary and secondary school students, respectively, and 26.79% university students. For marital status, 66.67% were single, 16.67% married, 10.71% divorced and 5.95% widowed. Regarding the profession, 26.79% were traders, 8.93% were employees and 64.29% unemployed. In this study, the 168 patients had performed Chlamydia trachomatis serology among whom 02 (1.19%) were excluded for invalid results and 10.71% presented positive cases. The city of Bongor was the most infected with 61% of cases. Among these patients, 54.22% were linked to risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis. The most infected age group was between 25 and 35 with a seroprevalence of 5.36% of cases. Conclusion: In this study, Chlamydia trachomatis was positive for 10.71% of diagnosed cases. The most affected age groups are young, sexually active women. The State should emphasize the screening of women, the awareness of students and academics.

FQ-PCR检测尿道炎病原体的临床应用及评价

目的为临床提供一次反应可同时检测由奈瑟氏淋球菌(Neissria gonorrhea,NG)、解脲支原体(Ureaplasma urealyticum,UU)及沙眼衣原体(Chlamydia trachomatis,CT)引起的淋菌性尿道炎和非淋菌性尿道炎的荧光定量PCR实验方法。对不同的试剂盒进行评价、比较,优化其荧光定量PCR反应条件。方法在一次荧光定量PCR反应中,利用任意一套标准品同时检测三种病原体,进行χ2检验。将同样的标本分别用三种不同试剂盒试验,将结果进行χ2检验。优化反应条件,比较结果有无差异,进行t检验。结果用同一厂家试剂盒的一套标准品分别同时检测三种病原体,结果无统计学差异,P>0.05。三个厂家试剂盒无明显差异,P>0.05。将某些反应条件优化,结果无显著影响,t=1.1806,P>0.05。结论用同一厂家试剂盒的一套标准品分别同时检测三种病原体,可减少标准品的使用量,且优化反应条件后又可以节省时间,为临床提供了快速、简便、经济的检测方法。

猪鹦鹉热衣原体CJ4株生物学特性研究

从发病猪分离出鹦鹉热衣原体(Chlamydia psittaci)CJ4株,该菌株对青霉素敏感,不被磺胺嘧啶钠所抑制;能够致死6～7日龄鸡胚,其ELD50为10-7.69/0.3 mL;用该毒株制备的疫苗免疫小鼠可以抵抗衣原体强毒的攻击,具有较好的免疫原性。

羊流产嗜性衣原体蛋白-蛋白相互作用网络的构建

病原菌的相互作用组学研究是揭示潜在信号转导通路和新型药物靶标的有力工具。通过同源蛋白映射的方法构建了羊流产嗜性衣原体(Chlamydia abortus)的蛋白-蛋白相互作用网络。结果表明,所构建的互作网络包含220个蛋白和1276个相互作用关系。通过分析蛋白的互作频率,确定了在羊流产嗜性衣原体中互作频率最高的20个蛋白,主要与转录、翻译、分子伴侣等功能相关。进一步分析发现,伴侣蛋白DnaK、GroEL、DnaJ发生互作的频率较高,能与核糖体蛋白、代谢相关蛋白等多种功能蛋白发生相互作用。若DnaK、GroEL、DnaJ的功能受到抑制,将会对羊流产嗜性衣原体的正常生命活动造成较大的影响。

Comparative Study of PCR Kits with Cell Culture and LCR in the Detection of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infections

Objective: To determine the diagnostic performancesof six Chinese PCR kits for detection of Chlamydiatrachomatis in patients with sexually transmitteddiseases using cell culture and LCR as references.Methods: Endocervical or urethral swab specimenswere collected from 673 patients attending STDclinics in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Tianjin. C.trachomatis culture and PCR were performed onspecimens from all patients while LCR detection wasperformed only on specimens with discordant cultureand PCR results.Results: Of the 616 patients, 6.3% (39) wereculture-positive while 23.5% to 28.7% were positiveby PCR testing. Compared to cell culture, the sensi-tivity of all six PCR methods was 90% or higher. In200 cases with discrepant reports, LCR and PCRshowed excellent consistency (YI index: 0.523-0.881 ), the sensitivity and specificity of PCR methodswere 83.9%- 98.6% and 66.7%- 94.7% respectively,while PCR2 showed the highest YI index (0.881). Withthe reference standard defined as culture positive orLCR positive plus at least one PCR positive fordiscrepant results, we found that the specificity andsensitivity of all six Chinese PCR kits were higherthan 95% and 85%, respectively.Conclusions: Domestically-produced PCR kits forChlamydia trachomatis detection are highly sensi-tive and specific, however, quality control remainsimportant in their clinical application.

Prokaryotic Expression and Identification of Outer Membrane Protein 2 of Chlamydia trachomatis

Objective: To construct a recombinant plasmid containing the outer membrane protein 2 (Omp2) gene of Chlamydia trachomatis and express Omp2 in E.coli. Methods: The omp2 gene of C. trachomatis serovar D was cloned into pQE30 vector following PCR amplification from genomic DNA. E. coli M15 transformants were induced to express the fusion protein by IPTG and the product was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Results: Confirmed by enzyme cleavage analysis and DNA sequencing, a correct recombinant plasmid pQE30/omp2 was constructed. The fusion protein from the transformants was approximately 60 kDa in size in SDS-PAGE analysis, which could specially react with anti-6 X His mouse monoclonal IgG antibodies. Conclusion: We successfully expressed Omp2 in E. coli M15, providing an efficient and simple system for assaying the immunological properties of Omp2.

猫衣原体病

猫衣原体病是由鹦鹉热衣原体的某些菌株引起的接触性传染病,以病猫的喷嚏、咳嗽、流泪、结膜炎、鼻气管炎、肺炎及胃肠道感染为主要特征。病原鹦鹉热衣原体(Chlamydia psittacci)是一个专性细胞内寄生的微生物群,因不能合成高能化合物而只能在活细胞内繁殖,革兰氏阴性,有独特的发育周期,感染型称为原体,球形,直径0.2—0.

Study on Drug Resistance and Relative Mechanisms of Chlamydia Trachomatis

Chlamydia Trachomatis (C.T.) is one of the most common pathogens of human sexually transmitted diseases. Treatment of C.T. infection primarily depends on Tetracyclines, Macrolides and Quinolones, but with the wide use of antibiotics an increasing number of drug-resistant Chlamydia trachomatis cases have been reported. This review summarizes the resistant conditions and the possible resistance mechanisms of C.T..

Clinical, Paraclinical and Therapeutic Aspects of Chronic Prostatitis

Aim: Present the clinical and paraclinical aspects of chronic prostatitis and report the management in urology. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of 47 patients referred to the urology department from January 2011 to December 2013. Analysed variables were epidemiological (age, marital status, place of residence, occupation, education level, taking stimulants), clinical, paraclinical (CBU, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV serologies, urine culture susceptibility testing, semen analysis, ultrasound of urinary tree, radiographs, RCU, IVU), treatment and results. Results: The mean age was 44.6 years. The main reasons for consultation were dysuria (55.3%), prostatorrhea (29.8%) and sexual asthenia (12.8%). The general condition was satisfactory (80.9%). Purulent drop was objectified in the urethral meatus in 10.6% of cases, and the DRE was painful at 44.68%. Escherichia coli was the main isolated germ (23.4%). In 55.3%, calcification of the prostatic area was objectified to ultrasound of the urinary tract. The RCU had objectified bilharzia in 8.5% of calcifications of the bladder area and 19.14% of urethral stricture. The medical treatment was completed in all patients according to the etiology and complications by an instrumental or surgical treatment, offline or emergency. The outcome was favorable in 25 patients. Symptoms were improved in 12 others and a failure for the ten remaining. Conclusion: Chronic prostatitis is relatively frequent in urology. Clinical manifestations are diverse and varied. Treatment is difficult with a significant failure rate.

Treatment for Persistent Chlamydial Infection in the Urogenital Tract-a Review Study

Objective： To investigate treatment efficacy for persistent chlamydial infection in the urogenital tract. Methods： 207 patients with persistent chlamydial urogenital infection were treated with tetracycline,azithromycin, ofloxacin or a combination of these.Result： 47.92%-68.60% of patients with persistent chlamydial urogenital infection were cured depending on the drug used. Ofloxacin had better results than tetracycline and azithromycin.Conclusion： Many patients were resistant to treatment with tetracycline and azithromycin. Ofloxacin proved effective.

衣原体和动物衣原体病

动物衣原体病(Chlamydiosis)是由鹦鹉热衣原体(Chlamydia Psitaci)引起的一种传染病。能引起肺炎、流产、肠炎、脑炎、眼结膜角膜炎或多发性关节炎等多种疾病。该病原能使100多种禽类;16种哺乳类和其他种动物致病,人可因接触动物而受感染。在自然界中,节肢动物对衣原体的传播和保存起了重要的作用。该病在国外已遍及世界五大洲的几十个国家。1964年,我国首次报道了京津地区鸭群、鸽和饲养人员的衣原体感染,继在甘肃、青海、内蒙古、西藏、新疆、湖北、云南、北京、天津、广州等省、市、自治区都已证实了各种动物的衣原体性感染。近年来,随着人们对衣原体危害性认识的逐步加深。

Bacterial vaginosis:a synthesis of the literature on etiology,prevalence,risk factors,and relationship with chlamydia and gonorrhea infections

Bacterial vaginosis(BV) is a common vaginal disorder in women of reproductive age. Since the initial work of Leopoldo in 1953 and Gardner and Dukes in 1955, researchers have not been able to identify the causative etiologic agent of BV. There is increasing evidence, however, that BV occurs when Lactobacillus spp., the predominant species in healthy vaginal flora, are replaced by anaerobic bacteria, such as Gardenella vaginalis, Mobiluncus curtisii, M. mulieris, other anaerobic bacteria and/or Mycoplasma hominis. Worldwide, it estimated that 20%–30% of women of reproductive age attending sexually transmitted infection(STI) clinics suffer from BV, and that its prevalence can be as high as 50%–60% in high-risk populations(e.g., those who practice commercial sex work(CSW). Epidemiological data show that women are more likely to report BV if they: 1) have had a higher number of lifetime sexual partners; 2) are unmarried; 3) have engaged in their first intercourse at a younger age; 4) have engaged in CSW, and 5) practice regular douching. In the past decade, several studies have provided evidence on the contribution of sexual activity to BV. However, it is difficult to state that BV is a STI without being able to identify the etiologic agent. BV has also emerged as a public health problem due to its association with other STIs, including: human immunodeficiency virus(HIV), herpes simplex virus type 2(HSV-2), Chlamydia trachomatis(CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG). The most recent evidence on the association between BV and CT/NG infection comes from two secondary analyses of cohort data conducted among women attending STI clinics. Based on these studies, women with BV had a 1.8 and 1.9-fold increased risk for NG and CT infection, respectively. Taken together, BV is likely a risk factor or at least an important contributor to subsequent NG or CT infection in high-risk women. Additional research is required to determine whether this association is also present in other low-risk sexually active populations, such as among women in the US military. It is essential to conduct large scale cross-sectional or population-based case-control studies to investigate the role of BV as a risk factor for CT/NG infections. These studies could lead to the development of interventions aimed at reducing the burden associated with bacterial STIs worldwide.

Correlation of Chlamydia pneumonias infection with primary biliary cirrhosis

AIM:To evaluate the association between Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) infection and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). METHODS: CpnIq/G and IgM were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELBA) in 41 well-established PBC patients and two race-matched control groups (post-hepatitis cirrhosis, n = 70; healthy controls, n = 57). RESULTS: The mean level and seroprevalence of Cpn IgG in PBC group and post-hepatitis cirrhosis (PHC) group were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (46.8±43.4 RU/mL, 49.5±45.2 RU/mL vs28.3±32.7 RU/mL; 68.3%, 71.4%, 42.1%, respectively; P<0.05). There was a remarkably elevated seroprevalence of Cpn IgM in patients with PBC (22.0%) compared to the PHC and healthy control (HC) groups. For the PBC patients versus the HCs, the odds ratios (ORs) of the presence of Cpn IgG and IgM were 2.7 (95% CI 0.9-6.1) and 5.1 (95% CI 1.4-18.5), respectively. Though there was no correlation in the level of Cpn IgG with total IgG in sera of patients with PBC (r = -0.857, P = 0.344>0.05), Cpn IgM was related with the abnormally high concentrations of total IgM in PBC group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae may be a triggering agent or even a causative agent in PBC, but suggest that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection probably contributes to the high level of IgM present in most patients with PBC.

Atherosclerosis,inflammation and Chlamydia pneumoniae

Coronary heart disease is the single most common cause of illness and death in the developed world.Coronary atherosclerosis is by far the most frequent cause of ischemic heart disease,and plaque disruption with superimposed thrombosis is the main cause of the acute coronary syndromes of unstable angina,myocardial infarction,and sudden death.Atherosclerosis is the result of a complex interaction between blood elements,disturbed flow,and vessel wall abnormality,involving several pathological processes:inflammation,with increased endothelial permeability,endothelial activation,and monocyte recruitment;growth,with smooth muscle cell proliferation,migration,and matrix synthesis;degeneration,with lipid accumulation;necrosis,possibly related to the cytotoxic effect of oxidized lipid;calcification/ossification,which may represent an active rather than a dystrophic process;and thrombosis,with platelet recruitment and fibrin formation.In this review we discuss these processes and the possible pathological effects of Chlamydia infection and the ensuing phlogosis.

Clinical metagenomic sequencing for rapid diagnosis of pneumonia and meningitis caused by Chlamydia psittaci

BACKGROUND Chlamydia psittaci(C.psittaci)is a gram-negative intracellular parasitic pathogenic bacterium that can infect avian and mammalian hosts,including humans.The detection of C.psittaci infections typically relies on traditional antigen-based immunoassays or serological testing that often lack sensitivity and/or specificity.Metagenomic next generation sequencing(mNGS)is an emerging tool for diagnosis.AIM To demonstrate that mNGS represents a valuable tool for rapid,sensitive,and accurate pathogen detection including C.psittaci infections.METHODS Four cases of psittacosis pneumonia and one case of pediatric psittacosis meningitis were diagnosed between December 2019 and May 2020 using mNGS at Changzhou Second People’s Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University.Patients’clinical characteristics,manifestations,and treatment histories were retrospectively evaluated.RESULTS All five patients had a history of exposure to wild(psittacine or other birds)or domesticated birds(chickens).All patients had a high fever(>39℃)and three of them(60%)experienced organ insufficiency during the disease.The laboratory data showed normal to slightly increased leucocyte and neutrophil counts,and elevated procalcitonin levels in all five cases,and very high C-reactive protein levels in psittacosis pneumonia patients.mNGS identified a potential pathogen,C.psittaci,in patients’bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or cerebrospinal fluid.Computed tomography revealed lung air-space consolidation,pleural thickening,and effusion fluid buildup in psittacosis pneumonia cases,and an arachnoid cyst in the right temporal lobe of the pediatric psittacosis meningitis patient.All patients experienced complete recovery following the administration of targeted antichlamydia therapy.CONCLUSION This study not only demonstrated that mNGS represents a valuable tool for rapid,sensitive,and accurate pathogen detection,but also raised public health concerns over C.psittaci infections.