Inclusion bodies containing glycogen granules are characteristic feature of infected cells with Chlamydia trachomatis(C. trachomatis). In this study, we investigated the serial changes of the glycogen granules in a rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells co-cultivated with C. trachomatis.The epithelial cells isolated grom conjunctiva of rabbit were initially cultured for 3 weeks. After the cells had attained confluency, they were infected with C. trachomatis serotype D. After co-cultivation for 24, 48 and 96 hours, electronmicroscopic study was performed.After co-cultivation for 24 hours, a few glycogen granules were observed within the premature inclusion body containing some elementary bodies and reticulate bodies. After 48 hours of co-cultivation, typical inclusion bodies were observed and numerous electron-dense glycogen granules predominated around reticulate bodies. After 96 hours of co-cultivation, scattered glycogen granules were observed in granular pattern within the expanding inclusion occupying the bulk of the host cell cytoplasm.These results suggest that glycogen granules are closely related to the developmental cycle of the C. trachomatis and they may be an energy source for active multiplication of the reticulate bodies.
Chlamydia trachomatis* ; Chlamydia* ; Conjunctiva ; Epithelial Cells* ; Glycogen* ; Inclusion Bodies