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Tagini F, Opota O, Greub G. Chlamydia pneumoniae Upsurge at Tertiary Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:810-812. [PMID: 38413241 PMCID: PMC10977832 DOI: 10.3201/eid3004.231610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae infection cases have usually accounted for <1.5% of community-acquired respiratory tract infections. Currently, Lausanne, Switzerland is experiencing a notable upsurge in cases, with 28 reported within a span of a few months. This upsurge in cases highlights the need for heightened awareness among clinicians.
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Wolff BJ, Gaines A, Conley AB, Norris E, Rishishwar L, Chande AT, Yang E, Diaz MH, Winchell JM. Multiplex Real-time PCR Assay for the Detection of all Chlamydia Species and Simultaneous Differentiation of C. psittaci and C. pneumoniae in Human Clinical Specimens. Ann Lab Med 2023; 43:375-380. [PMID: 36843406 PMCID: PMC9989537 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2023.43.4.375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed and assessed the performance of a new multiplex real-time PCR assay for the detection of all Chlamydia species and simultaneous differentiation of Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pneumoniae-two important human respiratory pathogens-in human clinical specimens. Next-generation sequencing was used to identify unique targets to design real-time PCR assays targeting all Chlamydia species, C. psittaci, and C. pneumoniae. To validate the assay, we used a panel of 49 culture isolates comprising seven C. psittaci genotypes, eight C. pneumoniae isolates, seven other Chlamydia species, and 22 near-neighbor bacterial and viral isolates, along with 22 specimens from external quality assessment (EQA) panels and 34 nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs and cerebrospinal fluid, stool, and sputum specimens previously identified as positive or negative for C. psittaci or C. pneumoniae. The assays were 100% specific, with limits of detection of 7.64- 9.02 fg/μL. The assay results matched with historical assay results for all specimens, except for one owing to the increased sensitivity of the new C. psittaci assay; the results of the EQA specimens were 100% accurate. This assay may improve the timely and accurate clinical diagnosis of Chlamydia infections and provide a greater understanding of the burden of disease caused by these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard J Wolff
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anna Gaines
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Emily Norris
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lavanya Rishishwar
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory, Atlanta, GA, USA.,School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aroon T Chande
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory, Atlanta, GA, USA.,School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Eungi Yang
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maureen H Diaz
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jonas M Winchell
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Garin N, Marti C, Skali Lami A, Prendki V. Atypical Pathogens in Adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia and Implications for Empiric Antibiotic Treatment: A Narrative Review. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122326. [PMID: 36557579 PMCID: PMC9783917 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical pathogens are intracellular bacteria causing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in a significant minority of patients. Legionella spp., Chlamydia pneumoniae and psittaci, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Coxiella burnetii are commonly included in this category. M. pneumoniae is present in 5-8% of CAP, being the second most frequent pathogen after Streptococcus pneumoniae. Legionella pneumophila is found in 3-5% of inpatients. Chlamydia spp. and Coxiella burnetii are present in less than 1% of patients. Legionella longbeachae is relatively frequent in New Zealand and Australia and might also be present in other parts of the world. Uncertainty remains on the prevalence of atypical pathogens, due to limitations in diagnostic means and methodological issues in epidemiological studies. Despite differences between CAP caused by typical and atypical pathogens, the clinical presentation alone does not allow accurate discrimination. Hence, antibiotics active against atypical pathogens (macrolides, tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones) should be included in the empiric antibiotic treatment of all patients with severe CAP. For patients with milder disease, evidence is lacking and recommendations differ between guidelines. Use of clinical prediction rules to identify patients most likely to be infected with atypical pathogens, and strategies of narrowing the antibiotic spectrum according to initial microbiologic investigations, should be the focus of future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Garin
- Division of Internal Medicine, Riviera Chablais Hospital, 1847 Rennaz, Switzerland
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-79-900-54-74
| | - Christophe Marti
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aicha Skali Lami
- Division of Internal Medicine, Riviera Chablais Hospital, 1847 Rennaz, Switzerland
| | - Virginie Prendki
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Infectious Disease, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Internal Medicine for the Aged, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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4
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Clemmons NS, Jordan NN, Brown AD, Kough EM, Pacha LA, Varner SM, Hawksworth AW, Myers CA, Gaydos JC. Outbreak of Chlamydia pneumoniae Infections and X-ray-Confirmed Pneumonia in Army Trainees at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, 2014. Mil Med 2020; 184:e196-e199. [PMID: 30690452 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) is a bacterium that causes pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. Fever may be present early but absent by time of presentation to clinic. Increases in X-ray-confirmed pneumonia (XCP) and laboratory-confirmed Cp infections were observed in new soldiers in training at Fort Leonard Wood (FLW), Missouri, early in 2014. These findings prompted a site assistance visit from the U.S. Army Public Health Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, with a review of available data and information to describe the outbreak, and inspections of barracks and training facilities and review of training practices to identify opportunities for interventions to reduce the risk of respiratory disease agent transmission. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study population was trainee soldiers at FLW in 2013-2014. Data from two acute respiratory disease surveillance systems were studied. A local surveillance system operated by the FLW General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital Preventive Medicine Department tracked weekly chest X-rays taken and the numbers positive for pneumonia. A Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, laboratory-based Febrile Respiratory Illness Surveillance Program collected clinical data and nasal, or nasal and pharyngeal swabs, for nucleic acid amplification testing from up to 15 trainees/week with fever and either cough or sore throat. Up to 4 of the 15 specimens could be from afebrile patients with XCP. Specimens were tested for a variety of agents. RESULTS Monthly rates of XCP rose quickly in 2014 and peaked at 0.9/100 trainees in May. The percentage of the San Diego surveillance system specimens that were positive for Cp also increased quickly in 2014, peaking at 54% in May. During the first half of 2014, the San Diego program studied specimens from 141 ill trainees; 37% (52/141) were positive for Cp, making it the most common organism identified, followed by rhinoviruses (8%), influenza viruses (4%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (2%), and adenoviruses (1%). The remaining specimens (48%) were negative for all respiratory pathogens. Only 12% (6/52) of Cp positive patients were febrile. Facilities inspections and review of training practices failed to identify variables that might be contributing to an increased risk of respiratory agent transmission. CONCLUSION The XCP rate and the percentage of specimens positive for Cp increased in early 2014, peaking in May. Only 12% of trainees with laboratory-confirmed Cp were febrile. Historically, acute respiratory disease surveillance at military training centers focused on febrile diseases, particularly those caused by adenoviruses. With introduction of an adenovirus vaccine in late 2011, respiratory disease rates dropped with only sporadic occurrences of adenovirus-associated disease. In 2012, the San Diego surveillance program began providing data on multiple respiratory disease agents, in addition to adenoviruses and influenza viruses. Since then, Cp, rhinoviruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae have frequently been detected in trainees with acute respiratory disease. Respiratory surveillance programs supporting Army training centers should be re-evaluated in this post-adenovirus vaccine era, to include assessment of the fever criterion for selecting patients for study, the value of chest X-ray surveillance and the value of rapidly providing laboratory results to inform provider decisions regarding antibiotic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nakia S Clemmons
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,Commissioned Corps, U.S. Public Health Service, Rockville, MD.,US Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
| | - Nikki N Jordan
- US Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
| | | | - Erin M Kough
- US Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
| | - Laura A Pacha
- US Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
| | - Susan M Varner
- General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, Fort Leonard Wood, MO
| | - Anthony W Hawksworth
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - Joel C Gaydos
- US Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
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Atypical and Typical Bacteria in Children with Community Acquired Pneumonia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019. [PMID: 31016635 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2019_377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2023]
Abstract
This study seeks to determine the pathogens in respiratory specimens and blood serum obtained from children who present with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) diagnosed on the basis of clinical and radiological evidence. The study group consisted of 46 hospitalized children aged 1-11 years. The material for research consisted of pharyngeal swabs and samples of blood serum. One hundred and thirty eight pharyngeal swabs were examined for the presence of C. pneumoniae antigen, C. pneumoniae DNA, and for typical pathogens. C. pneumoniae DNA was detected in pharyngeal swabs with nested PCR. Classical microbiological culture was used for detection of typical bacteria. ELISA test were used for detection anti-C. pneumoniae and anti-M. pneumoniae antibodies in the serum. C. pneumoniae DNA was identified in 10.9% of children. Positive culture for typical pathogens was observed in 8.7% of children. Specific anti-C. pneumoniae IgM antibodies were found in 8.7% of children, and IgG and IgA antibodies in 1 child each. Specific anti-M. pneumoniae IgG antibodies were found in 13.1% of children and IgM antibodies in 1 child. We conclude that the underlying bacterial etiology of CAP is rather rarely conclusively confirmed in children. Nonetheless, determining the etiology of CAP is essential for the choice of treatment to optimize the use and effectiveness of antimicrobials and to avoid adverse effect. Due to considerable variations in the power of detection of the type of atypical bacteria causing CAP, the search for the optimum diagnostic methods continues.
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Wolff BJ, Morrison SS, Winchell JM. Development of a multiplex TaqMan real-time PCR assay for the detection of Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pneumoniae in human clinical specimens. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 90:167-170. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Noguchi S, Yatera K, Kawanami T, Fukuda K, Yamasaki K, Naito K, Akata K, Ishimoto H, Mukae H. Frequency of detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with community-onset pneumonia. Respir Investig 2017; 55:357-364. [PMID: 29153416 DOI: 10.1016/j.resinv.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydophila pneumoniae is a causative pathogen of lower respiratory tract infection, which generally infects healthy, young people. However, it is often difficult to evaluate acute C. pneumoniae infection using upper respiratory tract specimens and/or sputum samples due to its persistent infection or colonization. The interpretation of frequency of detection of C. pneumoniae seems to be insufficient in community-onset pneumonia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of C. pneumoniae using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples. METHODS BALF samples from 147 patients with pneumonia were retrospectively evaluated using C. pneumoniae-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers. RESULTS None of the samples had positive PCR results for C. pneumoniae using two different sets of specific primers. Single and paired serological analyses were performed in 54 (36.7%) and 37 (25.2%) patients, respectively. These analyses revealed that 1 of 37 (2.7%) patients had a presumptive acute infection with C. pneumoniae, 8 of the 54 (14.8%) patients were suspected of having a C. pneumoniae infection, and 7 of the 37 (18.9%) patients were suspected of having past C. pneumoniae infection. In addition, cultivation and/or 16S rRNA gene sequencing detected Haemophilus influenzae in the presumptive case using the serological method. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study revealed that C. pneumoniae might be a minor causative agent of community-onset pneumonia according to an evaluation of specimens obtained from the lower respiratory tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Noguchi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wakamatsu Hospital of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-17-1, Hamamachi, Wakamatsuku, Kitakyusyu city, Fukuoka 808-0024, Japan; Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1, Iseigaoka, Yahatanishiku, Kitakyushu city, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiro Yatera
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1, Iseigaoka, Yahatanishiku, Kitakyushu city, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan.
| | - Toshinori Kawanami
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1, Iseigaoka, Yahatanishiku, Kitakyushu city, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan.
| | - Kazumasa Fukuda
- Department of Microbiology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1, Iseigaoka, Yahatanishiku, Kitakyushu city, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan.
| | - Kei Yamasaki
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1, Iseigaoka, Yahatanishiku, Kitakyushu city, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan.
| | - Keisuke Naito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1, Iseigaoka, Yahatanishiku, Kitakyushu city, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan.
| | - Kentaro Akata
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1, Iseigaoka, Yahatanishiku, Kitakyushu city, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Ishimoto
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1, Sakamoto, Nagasaki city, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Mukae
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1, Sakamoto, Nagasaki city, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan.
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Raina MacIntyre C, Chughtai AA, Zhang Y, Seale H, Yang P, Chen J, Pan Y, Zhang D, Wang Q. Viral and bacterial upper respiratory tract infection in hospital health care workers over time and association with symptoms. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:553. [PMID: 28793861 PMCID: PMC5550936 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-017-2649-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bacterial colonisation of the respiratory tract is commonly described and usually thought to be of no clinical significance. The aim of this study was to examine the presence and significance of bacteria and viruses in the upper respiratory tract of healthcare workers (HCWs), and association with respiratory symptoms. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in China and 223 HCWs were recruited from fever clinics and respiratory, paediatric, emergency/Intensive medication wards. Participants were followed over 4 weeks (7th May 2015 to 4th June 2015) for development of clinical respiratory illness (CRI). Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained at baseline and at the end of the study. The primary endpoints were laboratory-confirmed bacterial colonisation and viral respiratory infection. Rates of the following infections in symptomatic and asymptomatic participants were compared at the start or end of the study; 1) all bacterial/viral infections, 2) bacterial infection and bacterial-viral co-infections, excluding virus only infections, and 3) only bacterial infections. Results Bacterial colonisation was identified in 88% (196/223) of participants at the start or end of the study. Among these participants, 66% (148/223) had only bacterial colonisation while 22% (48/223) had co-infection with a virus. Bacteria were isolated from 170 (76.2%) participants at baseline and 127 (57%) participants at the end of the study. Laboratory confirmed viral infections were identified in 53 (23.8%) participants - 35 (15.7%) at the baseline and 20 (9.0%) at the end of the study. CRI symptoms were recorded in 12 participants (4.5%) and all had a positive bacterium isolation at baseline (n = 11) or end of the study (n = 1). Among asymptomatic participants, 187 (87%) had bacterial colonisation or bacterial/viral co-infection at baseline or end of the study. Viruses were also isolated from 5 (2.4%) asymptomatic cases. Rates of all infection outcomes were higher in symptomatic participants, however differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion We isolated high rates of bacteria and viruses in the upper respiratory tract of hospital HCWs, which may reflect greater exposure to respiratory infections in the hospital. Although respiratory infections are mostly symptomatic, the association between bacterial colonization and symptomatic illness is not clear. In the healthcare setting, HCWs may acquire and transmit infection to patients and other HCWs around them. Larger studies are required to explore ongoing occupational risk of respiratory infection in hospitals HCWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Raina MacIntyre
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Level 2, Samuels Building, Sydney, 2052, Australia.,College of Public Service & Community Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Abrar Ahmad Chughtai
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Level 2, Samuels Building, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
| | - Yi Zhang
- The Beijing Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Holly Seale
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Level 2, Samuels Building, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - Peng Yang
- The Beijing Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Joshua Chen
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Level 2, Samuels Building, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - Yang Pan
- The Beijing Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Daitao Zhang
- The Beijing Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Quanyi Wang
- The Beijing Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
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Sharma L, Losier A, Tolbert T, Dela Cruz CS, Marion CR. Atypical Pneumonia: Updates on Legionella, Chlamydophila, and Mycoplasma Pneumonia. Clin Chest Med 2016; 38:45-58. [PMID: 28159161 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has multiple causes and is associated with illness that requires admission to the hospital and mortality. The causes of atypical CAP include Legionella species, Chlamydophila, and Mycoplasma. Atypical CAP remains a diagnostic challenge and, therefore, likely is undertreated. This article reviews the advancements in the evaluation and treatment of patients and discusses current conflicts and controversies of atypical CAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lokesh Sharma
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, TAC S440, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Ashley Losier
- Department of Internal Medicine, Norwalk Hospital, 34 Maple Street, Norwalk, CT 06856, USA
| | - Thomas Tolbert
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 330 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Charles S Dela Cruz
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, TAC S440, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Chad R Marion
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, TAC S440, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens whose entry into mucosal epithelial cells is required for intracellular survival and subsequent growth. The life cycle of Chlamydia spp. and the ability to cause persistent, often subclinical infection, has major ramifications for diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis and C. pneumoniae infections in humans. AREAS COVERED This paper reviews the current literature on the antimicrobial susceptibilities and treatment of genital infections due to C. trachomatis and respiratory infections due to C. pneumoniae published since 2011. EXPERT OPINION Chlamydiae are susceptible to antibiotics that interfere with DNA and protein synthesis, including tetracyclines, macrolides and quinolones, which are the compounds that have been most extensively studied and used for treatment of human infection. Since our original review was published in 2011, there have been some major advances in diagnostic tests for C. trachomatis and the introduction of the first FDA-approved test for the detection of C. pneumoniae in respiratory samples. However, the options for treating chlamydial infections have largely remained the same. There are a small number of new drugs currently in preclinical development and early clinical trials that may have a role in the treatment of chlamydial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan A Kohlhoff
- SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics , 450 Clarkson Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11203-2098 , USA
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11
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Miyashita N, Kawai Y, Tanaka T, Akaike H, Teranishi H, Wakabayashi T, Nakano T, Ouchi K, Okimoto N. Antibody responses of Chlamydophila pneumoniae pneumonia: Why is the diagnosis of C. pneumoniae pneumonia difficult? J Infect Chemother 2015; 21:497-501. [PMID: 25840889 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The ELNAS Plate Chlamydophila pneumoniae commercial test kit for the detection of anti-C. pneumoniae-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA and IgG antibodies has become available in Japan recently. To determine the optimum serum collection point for the ELNAS plate in the diagnosis of C. pneumoniae pneumonia, we analyzed the kinetics of the antibody response in patients with laboratory-confirmed C. pneumoniae pneumonia. We enrolled five C. pneumoniae pneumonia cases and collected sera from patients for several months. The kinetics of the IgM and IgG antibody responses were similar among the five patients. Significant increases in IgM and IgG antibody titer between paired sera were observed in all patients. IgM antibodies appeared approximately 2-3 weeks after the onset of illness, reached a peak after 4-5 weeks, and were generally undetectable after 3-5 months. IgG antibodies developed slowly for the first 30 days and reached a plateau approximately 3-4 months after the onset of illness. The kinetics of IgA antibody responses were different among the five patients, and significant increases in IgA antibody titer between paired sera were observed in only two patients. Although the sample size was small, the best serum collection time seemed to be approximately 3-6 weeks after onset of illness when using a single serum sample for the detection of IgM antibodies. Paired sera samples should be obtained at least 4 weeks apart. IgA antibody analysis using ELNAS may not be a useful marker for acute C. pneumoniae pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoyuki Miyashita
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan.
| | - Yasuhiro Kawai
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takaaki Tanaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hiroto Akaike
- Department of Pediatrics, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hideto Teranishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan
| | | | - Takashi Nakano
- Department of Pediatrics, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kazunobu Ouchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan
| | - Niro Okimoto
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan
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12
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We present the key advances in the infections that clinicians conventionally associate with atypical pneumonia: legionellosis, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Chlamydophila species pneumonia and Q fever. RECENT FINDINGS There have been significant developments in molecular diagnosis to include Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae in multiplex PCR of respiratory specimens. There are diagnostic challenges in distinguishing carriage from infection, which is recognized in C. pneumoniae and now also evident in M. pneumoniae. Macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae has emerged in Asia. There are new antimicrobials on the horizon in the ketolide class with activity against typical and atypical pathogens and useful empirical agents. SUMMARY There are few advances in our knowledge of the epidemiology of atypical pathogens or the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy--empirical or pathogen specific. However, if molecular testing becomes widely implemented, there will be an increased understanding of the epidemiology and presentation of atypical pneumonia and a shift to more targeted antimicrobial therapy.
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13
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Mercante JW, Winchell JM. Current and emerging Legionella diagnostics for laboratory and outbreak investigations. Clin Microbiol Rev 2015; 28:95-133. [PMID: 25567224 PMCID: PMC4284297 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00029-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Legionnaires' disease (LD) is an often severe and potentially fatal form of bacterial pneumonia caused by an extensive list of Legionella species. These ubiquitous freshwater and soil inhabitants cause human respiratory disease when amplified in man-made water or cooling systems and their aerosols expose a susceptible population. Treatment of sporadic cases and rapid control of LD outbreaks benefit from swift diagnosis in concert with discriminatory bacterial typing for immediate epidemiological responses. Traditional culture and serology were instrumental in describing disease incidence early in its history; currently, diagnosis of LD relies almost solely on the urinary antigen test, which captures only the dominant species and serogroup, Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp1). This has created a diagnostic "blind spot" for LD caused by non-Lp1 strains. This review focuses on historic, current, and emerging technologies that hold promise for increasing LD diagnostic efficiency and detection rates as part of a coherent testing regimen. The importance of cooperation between epidemiologists and laboratorians for a rapid outbreak response is also illustrated in field investigations conducted by the CDC with state and local authorities. Finally, challenges facing health care professionals, building managers, and the public health community in combating LD are highlighted, and potential solutions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W Mercante
- Pneumonia Response and Surveillance Laboratory, Respiratory Diseases Branch, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jonas M Winchell
- Pneumonia Response and Surveillance Laboratory, Respiratory Diseases Branch, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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14
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Evolution to a chronic disease niche correlates with increased sensitivity to tryptophan availability for the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae. J Bacteriol 2014; 196:1915-24. [PMID: 24682324 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01476-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The chlamydiae are obligate intracellular parasites that have evolved specific interactions with their various hosts and host cell types to ensure their successful survival and consequential pathogenesis. The species Chlamydia pneumoniae is ubiquitous, with serological studies showing that most humans are infected at some stage in their lifetime. While most human infections are asymptomatic, C. pneumoniae can cause more-severe respiratory disease and pneumonia and has been linked to chronic diseases such as asthma, atherosclerosis, and even Alzheimer's disease. The widely dispersed animal-adapted C. pneumoniae strains cause an equally wide range of diseases in their hosts. It is emerging that the ability of C. pneumoniae to survive inside its target cells, including evasion of the host's immune attack mechanisms, is linked to the acquisition of key metabolites. Tryptophan and arginine are key checkpoint compounds in this host-parasite battle. Interestingly, the animal strains of C. pneumoniae have a slightly larger genome, enabling them to cope better with metabolite restrictions. It therefore appears that as the evolutionarily more ancient animal strains have evolved to infect humans, they have selectively become more "susceptible" to the levels of key metabolites, such as tryptophan. While this might initially appear to be a weakness, it allows these human C. pneumoniae strains to exquisitely sense host immune attack and respond by rapidly reverting to a persistent phase. During persistence, they reduce their metabolic levels, halting progression of their developmental cycle, waiting until the hostile external conditions have passed before they reemerge.
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