Chlamydial zoonoses.
BACKGROUND
Zoonoses were already a subject of intense interest even before the SARS and avian influenza epidemics arose. For many years, chlamydiae have been hypothesized to be important zoonotic pathogens, because of their wide distribution and their infectious cycle. This article provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on this subject.


METHODS
The authors present a selective review of the literature as well as their own findings.


RESULTS
The scientific knowledge of the distribution and infectious cycle of chlamydiae is still inadequate. The laboratory diagnosis of chlamydial zoonoses remains unsatisfactory in both human and veterinary medicine, as there are no commercially available sensitive and species-specific tests. Acute chlamydial infections are usually treated with macrolides, tetracyclines, or quinolones. Persistent varieties are not covered by standard therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a considerable need for research on chlamydial infections, especially with regard to the diagnosis and treatment of persistent varieties.
Rohde
Gernot
G
Medizinische Klinik III, Pneumologie, Allergologie, Schlaf- und Beatmungsmedizin, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil GmbH, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum, Germany. gernot.rohde@rub.de
Straube
Eberhard
E
Essig
Andreas
A
Reinhold
Petra
P
Sachse
Konrad
K
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission; D001717:Birds; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission; D002689:Chlamydia / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000635:transmission