title: Chlamydial biology and its associated virulence blockers.
abstract: Chlamydiales are obligate intracellular parasites of eukaryotic cells. They can be distinguished from other Gram-negative bacteria through their characteristic developmental cycle, in addition to special biochemical and physical adaptations to subvert the eukaryotic host cell. The host spectrum includes humans and other mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, insects and even amoeba, causing a plethora of diseases. The first part of this review focuses on the specific chlamydial infection biology and metabolism. As resistance to classical antibiotics is emerging among Chlamydiae as well, the second part elaborates on specific compounds and tools to block chlamydial virulence traits, such as adhesion and internalization, Type III secretion and modulation of gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University , Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Delphine S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Beeckman
authors.forename: Leentje
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Puysseleyr
authors.forename: Kristien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Puysseleyr
authors.forename: Daisy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanrompay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002693:Chlamydiaceae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D002694:Chlamydiaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D014774:Virulence / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D037521:Virulence Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D037521:Virulence Factors