About Chlamydia pneumoniae

Chlamydophila pneumoniae is a species of Chlamydophila, an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects humans and is a major cause of pneumonia. It was known as the Taiwan acute respiratory agent (TWAR) from the names of the two original isolates – Taiwan (TW-183) and an acute respiratory isolate designated AR-39. Until recently, it was known as Chlamydia pneumoniae, and that name is used as an alternate in some sources. In some cases, to avoid confusion, both names are given. This atypical bacterium commonly causes pharyngitis, bronchitis, coronary artery disease and atypical pneumonia in addition to several other possible diseases including atherosclerosis. Also, the bacteria would play an important role in the exacerbation of asthma. It is found in nearly 60 % of asthmatic children between the ages of 5 and 15 years, and there is a direct link between the importance of the immune response against Chlamydia and the frequency of seizures.

Available Tests for Chlamydia pneumoniae

EliSpot

Chlamydia pneumoniae Elispot
(2x ACD/CPDA tube)

IFA, ELISA, Immunoblot

Chlamydia pneumoniae-IgA and Chlamydia pneumoniae-IgG antibodies
(1x Serum/SST tube)

PCR

Chlamydia pneumoniae-PCR in blood
(2x EDTA tube or sputum, pharyngeal secretion)

Bacteria:

Chlamydophila pneumoniae (gram-negative, intracellular); cystic and aberrant forms, biofilms

Vector / Transmission:

Airborne infection, human to human, ticks (not evidenced; possibly reactivated in Lyme disease). Aerogen transmission (cough) from horses to horse-riders?

Hosts:

Horses, koalas, frogs are infected.

Symptoms:

Cough, slight throat pain, hoarseness, sinusitis, atypical pneumonia, meningoencephalitis, bronchiolitis obliterans, myocarditis, Guillain-Barre-Syndrom

After infection (4-6 weeks):

arthritis (reactive, undifferentiated), tendovaginitis

Associations:

e.g. Morbus Alzheimer, Multiple Sclerosis, Depressions, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), heart attacks, Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS), arteriosclerosis, Autism, Parkinsonism, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Asthma.

Risk factors:

immune suppression (children/older people)