Chlamydiae and Chlamydia-Like Infections

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 April 2025 | Viewed by 4156

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute for Public Health Genomics (IPHG), Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Research Institute GROW, Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, University of Maastricht, 4-6, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands
Interests: epidemiology; diagnostics; immunogenetics; infectious diseases; valorization and translation; Chlamydia trachomatis
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Guest Editor
Department of Pulmonology, St. Antonius Hospital, Koekoekslaan 1, 3435 CM Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
Interests: Chlamydia; Chlamydia trachomatis infections; infectious disease; immunogenetics; pulmonary infection; lung transplantation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Members of the Chlamydiales order are remarkably diverse, and include species pathogenic for humans, animals and the environment. Human-pathogenic species generally cause ocular, pulmonary or urogenital infection, and due to the mostly asymptomatic clinical presentation cause major morbidity due to the development of late sequelae, which is especially the case for Chlamydia trachomatis. Several species infecting animals have zoonotic potential and thus pose a risk for public health. The incidence of infection among both humans and animals remains high, warranting an integrated scientific and clinical approach for aiding in the development of primary preventive measures.

This Special Issue will gather relevant studies ranging from basic research to translational, clinical or epidemiological studies, in relation to human ocular, pulmonary and urogenital Chlamydiae and Chlamydia-like infection, as well as animal infections and zoonotic infections. We invite you to submit your contribution to this Special Issue (original research papers, reviews, case reports/case series, valorization studies, policy manuscripts, or large funded study designs) to further our understanding of Chlamydiae and Chlamydia-like infections in humans, animals and the environment.

Prof. Dr. Servaas A. Morré
Dr. Stephan Verweij
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Chlamydiales
  • Chlamydia infection
  • molecular and cell biology
  • genetics and genomics
  • host–pathogen interaction
  • diagnostics
  • vaccine development
  • epidemiology
  • prevention and policy
  • zoonosis
  • Chlamydia-like
  • model systems to study Chlamydiae and Chlamydia-like infections

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 877 KiB  
Article
Clinically Defined Lymphogranuloma Venereum among US Veterans with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, 2016–2023
by Gina Oda, Joyce Chung, Cynthia Lucero-Obusan and Mark Holodniy
Microorganisms 2024, 12(7), 1327; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12071327 - 29 Jun 2024
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Abstract
We applied lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) clinical case criteria to a cohort of 1381 Veterans positive for HIV and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) from 2016 from 2023 and analyzed variables to ascertain risk factors for LGV and factors associated with the use of standard treatment [...] Read more.
We applied lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) clinical case criteria to a cohort of 1381 Veterans positive for HIV and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) from 2016 from 2023 and analyzed variables to ascertain risk factors for LGV and factors associated with the use of standard treatment regimens. In total, 284/1381 (20.6%) met the criteria for LGV. A total of 179/284 (63%) were probable cases, and 105/284 (37%) were possible cases (those meeting clinical criteria but with concurrent sexually transmitted infections (STI) associated with LGV-like symptoms). None had confirmatory CT L1–L3 testing. A total of 230 LGV cases (81%) presented with proctitis, 71 (25%) with ulcers, and 57 (20.1%) with lymphadenopathy. In total, 66 (23.2%) patients had >1 symptom of LGV. A total of 43 (15%) LGV cases were hospitalized. Primary risk factors for LGV were male birth sex (p = 0.004), men who have sex with men (p < 0.001), and the presence of STIs other than gonorrhea or syphilis (p = 0.011). In total, 124/284 (43.7%) LGV cases received standard recommended treatment regimens. Probable cases were more likely to receive standard treatment than possible cases (p = 0.003). We report that 20.6% of CT cases met clinical criteria for LGV among HIV-infected Veterans and that less than half of cases received recommended treatment regimens, indicating that LGV is likely underestimated and inadequately treated among this US population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chlamydiae and Chlamydia-Like Infections)
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8 pages, 245 KiB  
Communication
Challenges in Chlamydial Serology: Insights from a Belgian and a Dutch Population Cohort
by Anne De Meyst, Zoïe Alexiou, Tinne Lernout, Servaas A. Morré and Daisy Vanrompay
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040658 - 26 Mar 2024
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Abstract
Serology routinely serves as a diagnostic tool to confirm Chlamydia infections in humans. Particularly in delayed settings, such as post-outbreak scenarios where the acute phase of infection has subsided, serology is invaluable. Multiple studies, nonetheless, indicate deficiencies in specificity and sensitivity of current [...] Read more.
Serology routinely serves as a diagnostic tool to confirm Chlamydia infections in humans. Particularly in delayed settings, such as post-outbreak scenarios where the acute phase of infection has subsided, serology is invaluable. Multiple studies, nonetheless, indicate deficiencies in specificity and sensitivity of current chlamydial antibody detection assays. Incorporation of multiple antigens per target is known to improve the accuracy of chlamydial serological assays. We, therefore, used the recomLine test (Mikrogen diagnostics) on serological samples of two cohorts, as it is the only commercially available test allowing detection of antibodies against three human pathogenic Chlamydia species (C. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae and C. psittaci) using multiple antigens per target. The first cohort (n = 156; samples collected between 2008 and 2022 during a C. trachomatis screening initiative) comprised women from the Netherlands (NL) with past exposure to C. trachomatis, while the second cohort (n = 44; samples collected in 2018 in a health examination survey) consisted of Belgian citizens (BE) with occupational or recreational exposure to chickens, representing a risk population for C. psittaci. The test indicated a statistically equivalent C. pneumoniae seroprevalence in both cohorts (39.10% in NL and 34.09% in BE; p = 0.337). As expected C. trachomatis seroprevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the Dutch cohort (48.72%), as compared to the Belgian cohort (4.55%). Lastly, C. psittaci seroprevalence did not significantly differ between the two groups (2.27% in BE and 1.92% in NL; p = 0.633), even though a higher prevalence was expected for the Belgian cohort. This prompts us to question whether the Belgian cohort truly constituted a C. psittaci risk population or whether the recomLine test is susceptible to cross-reaction of species-specific antibodies, thereby increasing C. psittaci prevalence in the Dutch cohort. We advocate for the development of affordable, highly sensitive antibody detection assays that can effectively distinguish between chlamydial species, addressing the increasing demand for enhanced serological testing methodologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chlamydiae and Chlamydia-Like Infections)

Review

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14 pages, 1088 KiB  
Review
Deciphering the Puzzle: Literature Insights on Chlamydia trachomatis-Mediated Tumorigenesis, Paving the Way for Future Research
by Rafaela Rodrigues, Carlos Sousa and Nuno Vale
Microorganisms 2024, 12(6), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12061126 - 31 May 2024
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Abstract
Some infectious agents have the potential to cause specific modifications in the cellular microenvironment that could be propitious to the carcinogenesis process. Currently, there are specific viruses and bacteria, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and Helicobacter pylori, that are well established as [...] Read more.
Some infectious agents have the potential to cause specific modifications in the cellular microenvironment that could be propitious to the carcinogenesis process. Currently, there are specific viruses and bacteria, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and Helicobacter pylori, that are well established as risk factors for neoplasia. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections are one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide, and recent European data confirmed a continuous rise across Europe. The infection is often asymptomatic in both sexes, requiring a screening program for early detection. Notwithstanding, not all countries in Europe have it. Chlamydia trachomatis can cause chronic and persistent infections, resulting in inflammation, and there are plausible biological mechanisms that link the genital infection with tumorigenesis. Herein, we aimed to understand the epidemiological and biological plausibility of CT genital infections causing endometrial, ovarian, and cervical tumors. Also, we covered some of the best suitable in vitro techniques that could be used to study this potential association. In addition, we defend the point of view of a personalized medicine strategy to treat those patients through the discovery of some biomarkers that could allow it. This review supports the need for the development of further fundamental studies in this area, in order to investigate and establish the role of chlamydial genital infections in oncogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chlamydiae and Chlamydia-Like Infections)
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