title: Intracellular persistence of chlamydial major outer-membrane protein, lipopolysaccharide and ribosomal RNA after non-productive infection of human monocytes with Chlamydia trachomatis serovar K.
abstract: The replication of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar K was studied in human peripheral blood monocytes (PBMo). The intracellular fate of the bacteria was examined by determining the presence of chlamydial major outer-membrane protein (MOMP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). In-vitro infection of PBMo with C. trachomatis serovar K was not productive. However, chlamydial MOMP antigen, demonstrated by immunofluorescence, was present in PBMo for up to 14 days. Infected monocytes also contained chlamydial rRNA, measured by in-vitro hybridisation, and LPS, measured by enzyme immunoassay, for up to 14 days. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that the infection of PBMo with C. trachomatis may play a role in the systemic distribution of chlamydial antigens, leading to systemic manifestations of urogenital chlamydial infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nettelnbreker
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zeidler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hammer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Manor
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wollenhaupt
mesh_terms: D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000032:analysis*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology*; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal