MOLECULAR AND SEROLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS INFECTION

Abstract

Chlamydiae are non motile obligate intracellular bacteria. Apart from more recently discovered C. pecorum, there are three well recognized species, C. trachomatis, C. psittaci and C.pneumoniae.

Although, Chlamydiae are antigenically complex, the LPS and the MOMP antigens play the main role in their diagnosis. In addition, two other important chlamydia! antigens of 57 to 60 KDa have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of eye and female pelvic infections.

Worldwide, C. trachomatis is a known cause of trachoma and it is one of the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection. C. trachomatis has been incriminated as a cause of urethritis, cervicitis and premature labor in females. These infections may remain undetected and untreated thus resulting in severe subsequent sequelae such as ectopic pregnancy and tubal infertility. In males, C. trachomatis is considered as a cause of urethritis and prostatitis. In addition, it may be associated with reactive arthritis but very rarely causes infective endocarditis.