Chlamydia

Question	Answer
Causative Agent	C.trachomitis
Elementary Body	Infective, spore life form, non-metabolically active
Reticular Body	Non-infective, much larger, metabolically active
Parasite Status	Obligate Intracellular parasite
Host range	Limited (mostly humans)
Agent Structure	Double cell membrane, with two forms
Transmission	Sexual activity
Infection-Uptake	Elementary body attaches to host and is taken up by cells
Infection- Conversion	E.B converts to reticular body inside vesicle and multiplies
Infection- Reconversion	Some R.Bs convert back to E.Bs to increase spread
Symptoms- Initial	Silent rounds of inflammation and scarring due to limited natural immunity
Symptoms- PID	Scarring builds up and leads to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, occuring as urethritis or salphingitis
Symptoms- Scarring Leads To	Blocking of fallopean tubes/sperm tract leads to infertility
Diagnosis- Cell Culture	Slow, but 80-85% accurate
Diagnosis- Ag Detection	Fastest but lowest sensitivity
Diagnosis- PCR/NAAT	2-4 hours, >95% sensitivity
Diagnosis- National Chlamydia Screening Test	Allows easy treatment and transmission prevention (for partners as well)

Resource summary

	Created by gina_evans0312 about 10 years ago