An outbreak of systemic chlamydiosis in farmed American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis).

Chlamydia spp are reported to causes systemic disease in a variety of hosts worldwide including few reports in crocodilians. Disease presentations vary from asymptomatic to fulminant disease, some of which are zoonotic. The aim of this study was to describe the pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings associated with the occurrence of a previously unreported Chlamydia sp infection causing a major mortality event in farmed American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). The outbreak presented with sudden death in juvenile alligators mainly associated with necrotizing hepatitis and myocarditis, followed by the occurrence of conjunctivitis after the initial high mortality event. The widespread inflammatory lesions in multiple organs correlated with intralesional chlamydial organisms identified via immunohistochemistry and confirmed by 23S rRNA-specific real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for Chlamydiaceae bacteria. By sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the OmpA gene, this uncultured Chlamydia sp grouped closely with Chlamydia poikilothermis recently described in snakes. This study highlights the significance of such outbreaks in farmed populations. Enhanced epidemiological monitoring is needed to gain further insight into the biology of Chlamydia sp in alligators, disease dynamics, risk factors, and role of carrier animals.

The Role of MicroRNA-155 in Chlamydia muridarum Infected lungs.

Our laboratory has investigated the role of an evolutionarily conserved RNA species called microRNAs (miRs) in regulation of anti-chlamydial protective immunity. MiRs including miR-155 expressed in specific immune effector cells are critical for antigen specific protective immunity and IFN-γ production. Using miR-155 deficient mice, and a murine pulmonary model for chlamydial infection, we report here 1) the effect of host miR-155 on bacterial burden, and 2) identify probable immune genes regulated by miR-155.

Combined Fatal Systemic Chlamydia sp. and Aeromonas sobria Infection in Juvenile Siamese Crocodiles ( Crocodylus siamensis).

Chlamydial infections in crocodiles have been described in several countries and in several different species. These are typically associated with severe pharyngitis and conjunctivitis, with death occurring secondary to compromise of the upper respiratory tract due to obstruction of the trachea. A population of ranched Siamese crocodiles in central Thailand experienced an epizootic of sudden death in juvenile animals. The affected animals had fulminant systemic disease primarily involving the liver and spleen but also affecting the kidneys, heart, and the whole of the respiratory tract. Chlamydia sp. were noted in liver and spleen during histopathological examination and confirmed with transmission electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The sequence of the PCR product suggested a novel Chlamydia sp. of Siamese crocodiles. Crocodile farming represents an important economy in several parts of the world. Epizootics, such as the one described in this manuscript in association with Chlamydia sp., can have devastating impact on the industry and represent a potential zoonosis of significant public health concern. This is the first report of Chlamydia sp. and Aeromonas sobria causing systemic disease in crocodiles as well as the first histopathological and ultrastructural description of Chlamydia infection in Siamese crocodiles.

Prevalence of Co-infection with Gonorrhoea and Non-Gonococcal Urethritis in Males with Urethral Discharge Genitourinary Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur: A 5-year study between 2011 – 2015

Introduction:Dual infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia sp has been reported in several studies worldwidein men presenting with urethral discharge. The rate of co-infection has been reported to be between 1.5 to 51%.This study aims to determine the demographic characteristics and sexual behaviour of men diagnosed to haveurethritis.Methods:This is a retrospective study on all men who presented with urethral discharge and diagnosed to havegonococcal (GU) and non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) for the year 2011 to 2015 in Genito-UrinaryMedicine Clinic (GUM), Hospital Kuala Lumpur. The case notes were retrieved and reviewed.Results:There were a total of 307 men who attended the GUM clinic with urethral discharge. The mean ageof patients was 26.4 years (range 16-57 years). Majority (64.5%) were in the age group between 20-29 years. Around 95% were Malaysians and of these about 80% were Malays. Thirty-seven patients(12%) completed their tertiary education. There were 24 patients (8%) documented to have substanceabuse. Majority (78%) were heterosexual. About 36% of patients had 2 or more partners (range 2-10)6 months before the symptoms developed. The most common cause of urethritis was gonococcalurethritis (66.4%), followed by NGU (24.4%). Among the NGU, nine were detected to have Chlamydiasp infection (12%). Co-infection with Neisseria gonorrhoea and Chlamydia sp were detected in 28men (9.1%). Seven (2.3%) were HIV seropositive.Conclusion:Majority of males diagnosed with gonorrhoea were heterosexuals acquired mainly via casual partners.About 10% had co-infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia sp.

Rastreamento de alterações morfológicas atribuíveis a clamídias em 30.000 amostras de esfregaços vaginais / Screening for morphological changes attributable to chlamydia in 30,000 vaginal swab specimens

Descrevem-se alterações morfológicas atribuíveis a Clamídias em 40 esfregaços de materiais de colo uterino num total de 30.000 exames analisados na Divisão de Patologia do Instituto Adolfo Lutz no período de junho de 1983 a junho de 1985. Nossos achados permitem concluir que esfregaços fixados em álcool-éter e corados pelo método de Papanícolaou, no esquema habitualmente utilizado para detecção de câncer ginecológico, são perfeitamente adequados para avaliação dos efeitos associados a Clamídias. As principais alterações são inclusões puntíformes e estruturas vacuolares no citoplasma de células endocervicais, com metaplasia escamosa, e nas ectocervicais intermediárias e parabasais (AU).