Atypical Bacteria: Chlamydia ati Chlamydophila

Atypical Bacteria (Part 1)

• Atypical bacteria are classified as intracellular or extracellular.
• Intracellular bacteria include Chlamydia, Legionella, Mycobacterium, Rickettsiales, and Leptospira.
• Extracellular bacteria include Mycoplasma, Spirochetes, and Borellia and Treponema.

Chlamydia and Chlamydophila

• Common human pathogens globally.
• Do not stain with Gram stain, but have characteristics similar to gram-negative bacteria (outer membrane, LPS).
• Obligate intracellular bacteria.
• Cannot be cultured using conventional methods; must be isolated in cell cultures.
• Have a unique life cycle—exist in two forms: elementary bodies (EB) and reticulate bodies (RB).
• EB are metabolically inactive and infectious. RB are metabolically active and non-infectious.
• The life cycle involves attachment to host cells, uptake into cells, replication as reticulate bodies, and release of elementary bodies.
• A variety of diseases can be caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, such as:
• Trachoma
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Genital infections
• Neonatal infections

Legionella

• Gram-negative bacteria.
• Do not stain well using Gram staining.
• Predominantly found in aquatic environments such as water sources (lakes, rivers, and ponds) and other man-made water systems (e.g., showers, fountains, hot tubs).
• Can be transmitted via inhalation of contaminated aerosols.
• Two main types of diseases caused by Legionella bacteria are Legionnaire's disease and Pontiac fever.
• Legionnaire's disease is a severe form of pneumonia.
• Pontiac fever is a mild respiratory infection.

Mycobacterium

• Acid-fast, aerobic bacteria.

• Cell walls contain unique lipids (mycolic acids).

• Resistant to drying and many chemicals.

• Can cause TB and leprosy.

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death globally.

• 1/3 of the world population are estimated to be infected with TB.

• 8 million new cases of TB are estimated each year

• 1.5-3 million (people) are estimated to die annually worldwide due to TB

• The causative organism is Mycobacterium tuberculosis

• There are different types of TB (pulmonary and disseminated, otherwise called miliary).

• Different forms of TB can affect various organs such as the lungs, lymph nodes, and brain.

• Effective treatment is available.

• Drug-resistant TB strains are a major cause of concern.

• Individuals at risk of catching TB are categorized based on factors such as origin, lifestyle, and medical conditions.

Diagnosis

• Different diagnostic methods are used for the various bacterial infections such as acid-fast microscopy, culture, PCR, and serologic assays.

Treatment

• Treatment for each atypical bacteria varies, but antibiotic therapy is often essential.
• Specific medications and duration of treatment are tailored to each individual based on the causative organism.

Ibi ibeere yii da lori awọn baktẹria atypical, pẹlu Chlamydia ati Chlamydophila. A yoo ṣe ayẹwo awọn ayẹwo oriṣiriṣi, ọna idagbasoke, ati awọn àkóso ọlọjẹ wọn. Nibi ni a ti le kẹkọọ nipa bi wọn ṣe jẹ awọn pathogens pataki ninu eniyan.