scholarly journals Biofilm in Genital Ecosystem: A Potential Risk Factor for Chlamydia trachomatis Infection

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Filardo ◽  
Marisa Di Pietro ◽  
Giulia Tranquilli ◽  
Rosa Sessa
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Cell Monolayer ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
The Impact

In healthy women, the cervicovaginal microbiota is mostly populated by Lactobacillus spp., the main host defense factor of the female genital tract. In addition to Lactobacilli, other microorganisms populate the cervicovaginal microbiota, like Candida spp. and Gardnerella vaginalis. The overgrowth of Candida spp. or G. vaginalis, known as biofilm-producing microorganisms in the genital ecosystem, may lead to microbial dysbiosis that increases the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, like Chlamydia trachomatis. C. trachomatis, the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases, is still considered an important public health problem worldwide because of the impact of asymptomatic infections on long-term reproductive sequelae, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. The aim of our study was to investigate the interaction between C. trachomatis and the biofilm produced by Candida albicans or Gardnerella vaginalis, evaluating whether the biofilm can harbor C. trachomatis and influence its survival as well as its infectious properties. In order to do so, we developed an in vitro coculture transwell-based biofilm model. Our findings proved, for the first time, that C. trachomatis, an intracellular obligate pathogen, survived, for up to 72 hours after exposure, inside the biofilm produced by C. albicans or G. vaginalis, retaining its infectious properties, as evidenced by the typical chlamydial inclusions observed in the cell monolayer (chlamydial inclusion-forming units at 72 h: 9255 ± 1139 and 9873 ± 1015, respectively). In conclusion, our results suggest that the biofilm related to Candida or Gardnerella genital infections may act as a reservoir of C. trachomatis and, thus, contribute to the transmission of the infection in the population as well as to its dissemination into the upper genital tract, increasing the risk of developing severe reproductive sequelae.

scholarly journals The gut at war: the consequences of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection as a factor of diarrhea and malnutrition

2000 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulysses Fagundes-Neto ◽  
Isabel Cristina Affonso Scaletsky
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Diarrheal Disease ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Small Intestinal Mucosa ◽  
Enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
The Impact

Diarrheal disease is still the most prevalent and important public health problem in developing countries, despite advances in knowledge, understanding, and management that have occurred over recent years. Diarrhea is the leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age. The impact of diarrheal diseases is more severe in the earliest periods of life, when taking into account both the numbers of episodes per year and hospital admission rates. This narrative review focuses on one of the major driving forces that attack the host, namely the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and the consequences that generate malnutrition in an early phase of life. EPEC serotypes form dense microcolonies on the surface of tissue-culture cells in a pattern known as localized adherence (LA). When EPEC strains adhere to epithelial cells in vitro or in vivo they cause characteristic changes known as Attaching and Effacement (A/E) lesions. Surface abnormalities of the small intestinal mucosa shown by scanning electron microscopy in infants with persistent diarrhea, although non-specific, are intense enough to justify the severity of the clinical aspects displayed in a very young phase in life. Decrease in number and height of microvilli, blunting of borders of enterocytes, loss of the glycocalyx, shortening of villi and presence of a mucus pseudomembrane coating the mucosal surface were the abnormalities observed in the majority of patients. These ultrastructural derangements may be due to an association of the enteric enteropathogenic agent that triggers the diarrheic process and the onset of food intolerance responsible for perpetuation of diarrhea. An aggressive therapeutic approach based on appropriate nutritional support, especially the utilization of human milk and/or lactose-free protein hydrolyzate-based formulas and the adequate correction of the fecal losses, is required to allow complete recovery from the damage caused by this devastating enteropathogenic agent.

scholarly journals Chlamydia trachomatis detection in HIV infected patients using polymerase chain reaction

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-16
Author(s):  
A Shrestha ◽  
N Adhikari ◽  
Y Shah ◽  
P Poudel ◽  
B Acharya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Chlamydia Infection ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Hiv Patients ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted organism and causes important public health problem in the sexually active age group. Limited studies are found regarding the prevalence of C. trachomatis in Nepal. Moreover, currently there are no any study in Nepal reporting the association of chlamydia and HIV infection. This study attempts to determine the burden of chlamydia on HIV positive patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 117 HIV positive patients visiting a HIV clinic in Kathmandu, were screened for chlamydia infection. For this, urine samples were collected and analyzed using the Polymerase Chain Reaction Technique (PCR). Results: C. trachomatis was detected in 4.2% of the total 117 HIV patients. Out of positive cases 60% were males and 40% were females. However, chlamydia was found more prevalent among females (6.8%) than males (3.4%). Eighty percent of positive cases were asymptomatic. Conclusions: Although, the prevalence of chlamydia infection was found less HIV patients, most of those cases were asymptomatic. Therefore, routine checkup is recommended for all suspected cases for timely management of the disease. DOI: http://doi.dx.org/10.3126/ijim.v2i1.8003 Int J Infect Microbiol 2013;2(1):12-16

scholarly journals Vaginal Microbiota of the Sexually Transmitted Infections Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis in Women with Vaginitis in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1864
Author(s):  
Shu-Fang Chiu ◽  
Po-Jung Huang ◽  
Wei-Hung Cheng ◽  
Ching-Yun Huang ◽  
Lichieh Julie Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Associated Bacteria ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Prevotella Bivia ◽  
Initial Interaction

The three most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). The prevalence of these STIs in Taiwan remains largely unknown and the risk of STI acquisition affected by the vaginal microbiota is also elusive. In this study, a total of 327 vaginal swabs collected from women with vaginitis were analyzed to determine the presence of STIs and the associated microorganisms by using the BD Max CT/GC/TV molecular assay, microbial cultures, and 16S rRNA sequencing. The prevalence of CT, TV, and GC was 10.8%, 2.2% and 0.6%, respectively. A culture-dependent method identified that Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) were more likely to be associated with CT and TV infections. In CT-positive patients, the vaginal microbiota was dominated by L. iners, and the relative abundance of Gardnerella vaginalis (12.46%) was also higher than that in TV-positive patients and the non-STIs group. However, Lactobacillus spp. was significantly lower in TV-positive patients, while GBS (10.11%), Prevotella bivia (6.19%), Sneathia sanguinegens (12.75%), and Gemella asaccharolytica (5.31%) were significantly enriched. Using an in vitro co-culture assay, we demonstrated that the growth of L. iners was suppressed in the initial interaction with TV, but it may adapt and survive after longer exposure to TV. Additionally, it is noteworthy that TV was able to promote GBS growth. Our study highlights the vaginal microbiota composition associated with the common STIs and the crosstalk between TV and the associated bacteria, paving the way for future development of health interventions targeting the specific vaginal bacterial taxa to reduce the risk of common STIs.

scholarly journals Immune Pathogenesis of Asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis Infections in the Female Genital Tract

1995 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 169-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven S. Witkin
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Fallopian Tubes ◽  
Female Genital

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections of the female genital tract, although frequently asymptomatic, are a major cause of fallopian-tube occlusion and infertility. Early stage pregnancy loss may also be due to an unsuspected and undetected CT infection. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that this organism can persist in the female genital tract in a form undetectable by culture. The mechanism of tubal damage as well as the rejection of an embryo may involve an initial immune sensitization to the CT 60 kD heat shock protein (HSP), followed by a reactivation of HSP-sensitized lymphocytes in response to the human HSP and the subsequent release of inflammatory cytokines. The periodic induction of human HSP expression by various microorganisms or by noninfectious mechanisms in the fallopian tubes of women sensitized to the CT HSP may eventually result in tubal scarring and occlusion. Similarly, an immune response to human HSP expression during the early stages of pregnancy may interfere with the immune regulatory mechanisms required for the maintenance of a semiallogeneic embryo.

scholarly journals Chlamydia trachomatis among HIV infected patients using PCR technique

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Shah ◽  
A Shrestha ◽  
N Adhikari ◽  
KP Pant ◽  
KS Khadka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Chlamydia Infection ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Background and Objectives: Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted organism and an important public health problem in the sexually active age group. Limited studies are found regarding the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in Nepal. Moreover, no study in Nepal reports the association of Chlamydia and HIV infection. The current study attempts to determine the burden of Chlamydia on HIV positive patients. Material and Methods: A total of 117 HIV positive patients visiting a HIV clinic in Kathmandu, were screened for Chlamydia infection. For this, Urine samples were collected and analyzed using the Multiplex polymerase chain reaction technique (MPCR) and Agarose gel electrophoresis. DNA isolation was performed using QIAamp DNA and Blood mini kit handbook protocol. Results: C. trachomatis was detected in 4.27% of the total 117 HIV patients. Out of positive cases 60% were males and 40% were females. However, Chlamydia is found more prevalent among females (6.89%) than in males (3.4%). Eighty percent of positive cases were asymptomatic. Conclusion: Chlamydia infection was found less commonly among studied patients and most of those cases were asymptomatic. So there is difficulty in timely detection of C. trachomatis and track the clinical sequel, which might be devastating. Hence, routine checkup is recommended for all suspected cases for timely management of the disease Janaki Medical College Journal of Medical Sciences (2013) Vol. 1 (2): 3-10 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jmcjms.v1i2.9261

scholarly journals Interaction of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar E with male genital tract epithelium results in secretion of proinflammatory cytokines

2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 1025-1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Najwa Al-Mously ◽  
Adrian Eley
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Male Genital Tract ◽  
Prostate Epithelial Cells ◽  
Male Genital

Although much has been reported on the in vitro interaction of Chlamydia trachomatis with cells derived from the female genital tract, little is known of its interaction with male genital tract epithelium. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of C. trachomatis serovar E on immortalized normal human urethral epithelial cells and on immortalized normal adult human prostate epithelial cells with regard to chlamydial growth and secretion of cytokines. After infection, these epithelial cells were assessed for their support of chlamydial growth in comparison with HeLa cells, and cytokine levels in cell culture supernatants were determined by ELISA. Although the male-derived epithelial cells supported growth of chlamydiae, the best growth was seen in HeLa cells. In contrast to prostate epithelial cells, the urethral epithelial cells released much larger quantities of interleukin 1α (IL-1α) following infection, whereas both IL-6 and IL-8 were produced in larger quantities by infected prostate cells. At 7 days post-infection, HeLa cells consistently produced large quantities of all three cytokines. In conclusion, the male-derived cell lines were shown to support the invasion of C. trachomatis and initiate a proinflammatory response to infection. From in vitro studies the suggestion that high levels of IL-6 could be a possible marker for chlamydial prostatitis is confirmed. Although not as marked a change, it is also suggested that higher IL-8 levels could be associated more with infection of the prostate than the urethra. Differential cytokine production by different male-derived epithelial cells could help determine the site of chlamydial infection and help in the study of pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Differential Regulation of CD4 Lymphocyte Recruitment between the Upper and Lower Regions of the Genital Tract during Chlamydia trachomatis Infection

2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 1519-1528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen A. Kelly ◽  
Jennifer C. Walker ◽  
Shimul H. Jameel ◽  
Heather L. Gray ◽  
Roger G. Rank
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection ◽  
Flow Cytometric ◽  
Cd4 Lymphocyte ◽  
Local Recruitment ◽  
Tubal Pathology ◽  
Female Genital

ABSTRACT Genital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis results in both the local recruitment of protective immune responses and an inflammatory infiltrate that may also participate in tubal pathology. As a beginning to understanding the etiology of immune system-mediated tubal pathology, we evaluated the regional recruitment of lymphocyte subsets to different areas of the female genital tract (GT) over the course of a murine infection with the mouse pneumonitis agent ofChlamydia trachomatis (MoPn). Using flow cytometric techniques we found that the CD4 lymphocyte subset was preferentially recruited to the upper GT (oviduct and uterine horn) over the lower GT (cervical-vaginal region) throughout the course of MoPn infection. The influx of CD4 cells also correlated with the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules (ECAMs) and in vitro lymphocyte adherence in the upper GT. Interestingly, the expression of ECAMs in the lower GT was not maintained longer than 7 days after infection, even in the presence of viable chlamydiae. Taken together, these data suggest that regulatory mechanisms of lymphocyte recruitment differ between the upper and lower regions of the GT and may influence the clearance of chlamydiae and the development of tubal pathology.

Genital mycoplasmas, including Mycoplasma genitalium, as sexually transmitted agents

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneli Uusküla ◽  
Peter K Kohl
Keyword(s):  
Genital Tract ◽  
Ureaplasma Urealyticum ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Mycoplasma Species ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Intracellular Location ◽  
Main Site ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

Mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living organisms, widespread in nature. Several mycoplasma species have been isolated from humans. For 6 of them: Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, M. primatum, M. genitalium, M. spermatophilum and M. penetrans, the genital tract is the main site of colonization. This review is concentrated on the role of mycoplasmas as sexually transmitted agents, with the emphasis to M. genitalium infections. M. hominis and U. urealyticum are isolated from the genital tract of healthy men and women with considerable frequency. The biological features (attachment properties, possible intracellular location) and experimental inoculation studies of M. genitalium indicate that this mycoplasma has pathogenic potential. Data from case-control studies, looking at men with non-gonococcal urethritis and women with cervicitis, have revealed that M. genitalium behave similarly to Chlamydia trachomatis and have revealed that carriage of M. genitalium and C. trachomatis is usually independent of one another. M. genitalium could be considered as a potential cause of sexually transmitted urethritis in men, including men with persistent or recurrent urethritis. More studies are expected to ascertain the role of M. genitalium in the female genital tract. Evidence-based data are needed to decide whether current non-gonococcal infection treatment principles are applicable or not for M. genitalium infections.

Evidence for cGAS-STING signaling in the female genital tract resistance to Chlamydia trachomatis infection

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Su ◽  
Hong Xu ◽  
Maegan French ◽  
Yujie Zhao ◽  
Lingli Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Lower Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital

Sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis can ascend to the upper genital tract due to its resistance to innate immunity in the lower genital tract. C. trachomatis can activate cGAS-STING signaling pathway in cultured cells via either cGAS or STING. The current study was designed to evaluate the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in innate immunity against C. trachomatis in the mouse genital tract. Following intravaginal inoculation, C. trachomatis significantly declined by day 5 following a peak infection on day 3 while the mouse-adapted C. muridarum continued to rise for >1 week, indicating that C. trachomatis is susceptible to the innate immunity in the female mouse genital tract. This conclusion was supported by the observation of a similar shedding course in mice deficient in adaptive immunity. Thus, C. trachomatis can be used to evaluate innate immunity in the female genital tract. It was found that mice deficient in either cGAS or STING significantly increased the yields of live C. trachomatis on day 5, indicating an essential role of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in innate immunity of the mouse genital tract. Comparison of live C. trachomatis recovered from different genital tissues revealed that the cGAS-STING-dependent immunity against C. trachomatis was restricted to the mouse lower genital tract regardless of whether C. trachomatis was inoculated intravaginally or transcervically. Thus, we have demonstrated an essential role of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in innate immunity against chlamydial infection, laying a foundation for further illuminating the mechanisms of the innate immunity in the female lower genital tract.

scholarly journals Effects ofMentha suaveolensEssential Oil onChlamydia trachomatis

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Sessa ◽  
Marisa Di Pietro ◽  
Fiorenzo De Santis ◽  
Simone Filardo ◽  
Rino Ragno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Developmental Cycle ◽  
Elementary Body ◽  
Promising Candidate ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Reticulate Body ◽  
Preventative Strategy

Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common cause of sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide, has a unique biphasic developmental cycle alternating between the infectious elementary body and the replicative reticulate body.C. trachomatisis responsible for severe reproductive complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and obstructive infertility. The aim of our study was to evaluate whetherMentha suaveolensessential oil (EOMS) can be considered as a promising candidate for preventingC. trachomatisinfection. Specifically, we investigated thein vitroeffects of EOMS towardsC. trachomatisanalysing the different phases of chlamydial developmental cycle. Our results demonstrated that EOMS was effective towardsC. trachomatis, whereby it not only inactivated infectious elementary bodies but also inhibited chlamydial replication. Our study also revealed the effectiveness of EOMS, in combination with erythromycin, towardsC. trachomatiswith a substantial reduction in the minimum effect dose of antibiotic. In conclusion, EOMS treatment may represent a preventative strategy since it may reduceC. trachomatistransmission in the population and, thereby, reduce the number of new chlamydial infections and risk of developing of severe sequelae.

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