Diseases
Chlamydia pneumoniae
Chlamydophila pneumoniae is a species of Chlamydophila, an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects humans and is a major cause of pneumonia.
A common cause of respiratory infections
The pathogen Chlamydia pneumoniae was discovered in 1986. Since 1989, it has been recognized as the third species of Chlamydia alongside Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia psittaci. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a very common, globally distributed cause of respiratory infections in humans and is transmitted through aerosols.
According to seroepidemiological studies, seroprevalence begins as early as preschool age, reaching over 50% for women and over 70% for men in their sixth decade of life. Little is known about the distribution of Cp. pneumoniae infections in Germany. However, a very high seroprevalence rate is observed, suggesting that every individual is likely to have come into contact with Cp. pneumoniae at least once in their lifetime. About half of the infections are asymptomatic, possibly only associated with mild, nonspecific sore throat. In all other cases, a persistent, non-productive cough with headaches and fever is the predominant symptom of a C. pneumoniae infection.
Based on seroepidemiological studies, it is estimated that 5–15% of community-acquired pneumonias are caused by Cp. pneumoniae.
Further informations
Chlamydia pneumoniae
- Chlamydophila pneumoniae (gram-negative, intracellular)
- Airborne infection
- human to human
- ticks (not evidenced; possibly reactivated in Lyme disease)
- Aerogen transmission (cough)
Horses, koalas, frogs
Cough, slight throat pain, hoarseness, sinusitis, atypical pneumonia, meningoencephalitis, bronchiolitis obliterans, myocarditis, Guillain-Barre-Syndrom
After infection (4-6 weeks):
arthritis (reactive, undifferentiated), tendovaginitis
e.g. Morbus Alzheimer, Multiple Sclerosis, Depressions, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), heart attacks, Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS), arteriosclerosis, Autism, Parkinsonism, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Asthma.
immune suppression (children/older people)
