2/2007Characterization of Chlamydophila pneumoniae species

IRENA CHOROSZY-KRÓL (Zakład Nauk Podstawowych Wydziału Zdrowia Publicznego Akademii Medycznej we Wrocławiu,Kierownik: prof. dr hab. med. Irena Choroszy-Król )

Summary
Chlamydophila compose a large group of microorganisms wide spread all over the world. These microorganisms are obligatory intracellular parasites because of their disability to produce ATP on their own. They demonstrate of virus and bacteria traits. Characteristic trait of Chlamydophila is ability to develop chronic infections. Chlamydophila pneumoniae is an etiological agent of lower and upper airways infections. This microorganism can cause sinusitis, otitis media and pharyngitis. Returned chronic C. pneumoniae infections are associated with development of some disease entities such as: coronary atheromatosis and coronary heart disease, asthma, sarcoidosis, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. C. pneumoniae has very high nutritious requirement and in this way it is difficult to culture this bacteria in vitro. The culture is conducted in HeLa229, HL and Hep2cell lines; C. pneumoniae forms inclusion bodies in a cell culture. Laboratory diagnosis towards C. pneumoniae is based on: detection of elementary bodies antigens by direct immunofluorescence method, serological investigation and genetic investigation. C. pneumoniae infections can occur in 4 clinical forms: acute infection, reinfection, exacerbated chronic infection and carrier state. Besides carrier state, all infection forms require a treatment. Macrolides, tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones are used in C. pneumoniae therapy.

Key words: Chlamydophila pneumoniae, infections, diagnosis, treatment