Chlamydia pneumoniae

species of bacterium


Chlamydia pneumonia, or Chlamydophila pneumoniae[1] is the most common Chalmydia infection. It is a major cause of pneumonia.


Chlamydia pneumoniae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Chlamydiota
Class: Chlamydiia
Order: Chlamydiales
Family: Chlamydiaceae
Genus: Chlamydia
Species:
C. pneumoniae
Binomial name
Chlamydia pneumoniae
Grayston et al. 1989
Synonyms
  • Chlamydophila pneumoniae (Grayston et al. 1989) Everett, Bush & Andersen 1999

It was originally known as the Taiwan acute respiratory agent (TWAR) from the names of the two original isolates – Taiwan (TW-183) and an acute respiratory isolate named AR-39.

The first known case of infection with C. pneumoniae was a case of conjunctivitis in Taiwan in 1950. There are no known cases of C. pneumoniae in human history before 1950. Originally it was thought to have been caused by a virus.

Reproduction and spread

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Chlamydia is a bacteria which spreads person to person. It cannot survive or reproduce on its own. Instead it relies on the energy and resources of the body it lives in, because it is a parasite. It infects and causes disease in humans, including previously healthy people. C. pneumoniae also infects koalas, emerald tree boas (Corallus caninus), iguanas, chameleons, frogs, and turtles.

Symptoms

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The illness has two phases (also known as biphasic illness).

Signs and symptoms include inflammation of the lining of the oropharynx (pharyngitis), hoarseness, an ear infection (called otitis), then followed by pneumonia.

This atypical bacterium commonly causes bronchitis, coronary artery disease and atypical pneumonia and several other possible diseases.[2][3] Chlamydia pneumoniae is thought to be linked to an increased risk of developing lung cancer in the future.[4][5][6]

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References

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  1. taxonomy. "Taxonomy browser (Chlamydia pneumoniae)". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  2. Lang BR (September 15, 1991). "Chlamydia pneumonia as a differential diagnosis? Follow-up to a case report on progressive pneumonitis in an adolescent". Patient Care.
  3. Little L (September 19, 1991). "Elusive pneumonia strain frustrates many clinicians". Medical Tribune: 6.
  4. Zhan P, Suo LJ, Qian Q, Shen XK, Qiu LX, Yu LK, Song Y (March 2011). "Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis". European Journal of Cancer. 47 (5): 742–7. doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2010.11.003. PMID 21194924.
  5. Mager DL (2006). "Bacteria and cancer: cause, coincidence or cure? A review". Journal of Translational Medicine. 4: 14. doi:10.1186/1479-5876-4-14. PMC 1479838. PMID 16566840.
  6. Littman AJ, Jackson LA, Vaughan TL (April 2005). "Chlamydia pneumoniae and lung cancer: epidemiologic evidence". Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 14 (4): 773–8. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-04-0599. PMID 15824142. S2CID 6510957.