Versatility of Simkania negevensis infection in vitro and induction of host cell inflammatory cytokine response.
OBJECTIVE
Simkania negevensis (Sn) is an intracellular microorganism belonging to the family Simkaniaceae in the order Chlamydiales and has been associated with respiratory tract infections in infants and adults. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of Sn infection in different cell types.


METHODS
The results of Sn infection were examined by infectivity assays, PCR and EM. The cellular response to infection was evaluated by following the synthesis of mRNA for inflammatory cytokines and cytokine secretion.


RESULTS
Infections could be active, with production of progeny and cytopathic effects (CPE); persistent, induced by iron depletion or in minimally permissive cell types, with small numbers of infectious progeny; or cryptic, with no CPE or infectious progeny, but with Sn DNA detected. EM showed an abundance of EB and multiplying RB in active infection, small inclusions with mainly single RB particles in persistent infection, and aberrant inclusions in cryptic infection. We report reversion to active infection of iron-induced or spontaneous persistence; attempts to "cure" persistence with antibiotic treatment resulted in the absence of infectivity but not in the eradication of Sn DNA.


CONCLUSIONS
Sn infections are versatile and induce a host cell inflammatory response, which may be relevant to potential Sn pathologies in vivo.
Kahane
Simona
S
Department of Virology and Developmental Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 84105-IL Beer Sheva, Israel.
Fruchter
David
D
Dvoskin
Bella
B
Friedman
Maureen G
MG
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002694:Chlamydiaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002695:Chlamydiales / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D017963:Azithromycin