Chlamydia is an obligate intracellular pathogen that causes a wide range of diseases in humans and animals. Chlamydia infection often causes inflammatory response of the body, which seriously affects the health of the host. Cytokines, as key molecules of immune regulation, play an important role in Chlamydia-induced inflammation. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and interferon γ (IFN-γ), are rapidly activated in the early stage of Chlamydia-induced infection, participating in the recruitment of immune cells to the site of infection and initiating inflammatory response; IL-10 and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) regulate the activation and function of immune cells in the late stage of inflammation, thus affecting the development of inflammation. There are complex interactions and regulatory mechanisms among cytokines. This review summarizes the role of cytokines in Chlamydia-induced inflammation, and provides an important theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia infection related diseases and the development of vaccines.
Humans ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Chlamydia Infections/microbiology* ; Animals ; Inflammation/microbiology* ; Chlamydia/immunology*

This study primarily aimed to investigate the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and other common pathogens of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in spermatozoa of infertile men and their effects on semen parameters. These pathogens included Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium , herpes simplex virus 2, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Staphylococcus aureus . A total of 1951 men of infertile couples were recruited between 23 March 2023, and 17 May 2023, at the Department of Reproductive Medicine of The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (Kunming, China). Multiplex polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis were used for HPV genotyping. Polymerase chain reaction and electrophoresis were also used to detect the presence of other STIs. The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 12.4%. The top five prevalent HPV subtypes were types 56, 52, 43, 16, and 53 among those tested positive for HPV. Other common infections with high prevalence rates were Ureaplasma urealyticum (28.3%), Ureaplasma parvum (20.4%), and Enterococcus faecalis (9.5%). The prevalence rates of HPV coinfection with Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium , herpes simplex virus 2, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae , and Staphylococcus aureus were 24.8%, 25.4%, 10.6%, 6.4%, 2.4%, 7.9%, 5.9%, 0.9%, and 1.3%, respectively. The semen volume and total sperm count were greatly decreased by HPV infection alone. Coinfection with HPV and Ureaplasma urealyticum significantly reduced sperm motility and viability. Our study shows that coinfection with STIs is highly prevalent in the semen of infertile men and that coinfection with pathogens can seriously affect semen parameters, emphasizing the necessity of semen screening for STIs.
Humans ; Male ; Infertility, Male/epidemiology* ; Coinfection/microbiology* ; Papillomavirus Infections/virology* ; Adult ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases/complications* ; China/epidemiology* ; Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification* ; Chlamydia trachomatis/isolation & purification* ; Prevalence ; Mycoplasma genitalium/isolation & purification* ; Ureaplasma urealyticum/isolation & purification* ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae/isolation & purification* ; Enterococcus faecalis/isolation & purification* ; Streptococcus agalactiae/isolation & purification* ; Herpesvirus 2, Human/genetics* ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/isolation & purification* ; Semen/virology* ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa/microbiology* ; Human Papillomavirus Viruses

Seasonal outbreaks of airsacculitis in China's poultry cause great economic losses annually. This study tried to unveil the potential role of Avian metapneumovirus (AMPV), Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) and Chlamydia psittaci (CPS) in avian airsacculitis. A serological investigation of 673 breeder chickens and a case-controlled study of 430 birds were undertaken. Results showed that infection with AMPV, ORT, and CPS was highly associated with the disease. The correlation between AMPV and CPS were positively robust in both layers and broilers. Finally, we determined the co-infection with AMPV, ORT, and CPS was prevalent in the sampled poultry farms suffering from respiratory diseases and the outbreak of airsacculitis was closely related to simultaneous exposure to all three agents.
Air Sacs ; microbiology ; pathology ; Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Chickens ; Chlamydia ; Chlamydia Infections ; microbiology ; pathology ; veterinary ; Coinfection ; Flavobacteriaceae Infections ; microbiology ; pathology ; veterinary ; Humans ; Metapneumovirus ; Ornithobacterium ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; pathology ; veterinary ; virology ; Poultry Diseases ; microbiology ; pathology ; virology ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; microbiology ; veterinary ; virology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies

Infertility can be attributed to reproductive tract infections (RTI), most commonly nongonococcal urethritis, mainly including Mycoplasma and Chlamydia infections, which may directly or indirectly damage spermatozoa and spermatogenic cells. In addition, a series of immune responses caused by such infections are also associated with male infertility. Methods for the clinical detection of these microbial infections are being constantly improved for more specific and precise control over the impact of Mycoplasma and Chlamydia infections on male fertility.
Chlamydia Infections ; complications ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; microbiology ; Male ; Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma Infections ; complications ; Reproductive Tract Infections ; Spermatozoa ; microbiology ; Urethritis ; complications ; microbiology

Genital tract infections with ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and chlamydia trachomatis (CT) are the most frequent sexually-transmitted disease worldwide. UU and CT infections are considered to be the leading cause for infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, little is known about the specific effect of cervical UU and CT infections on the etiology of female infertility, as well as the pregnancy outcomes of the patients undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET). In order to find the association between cervical UU and/or CT infection and pregnancy outcomes, we conducted a retrospective case-control study on the patients undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET with cervical UU and/or CT infection. A total of 2208 patients who received IVF/ICSI-ET were enrolled in this study. Data on the general conditions, pregnancy history and clinical pregnant outcomes were analyzed in terms of the cervical UU and CT detection. Our results revealed that cervical UU and CT infections were the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor-induced infertility. Moreover, the pregnancy rate, abortion rate, ectopic pregnancy rate and premature birth rate in patients with UU and/or CT infections showed no significant difference when compared with the control group. We recommend that cervical UU and CT detection should be an optional item for infertility patients and clinical UU detection should differentiate the subtypes of cervical UU. Positive cervical UU and CT infections should not be taken as strict contraindications for IVF/ICSI-ET.
Adult ; Chlamydia Infections ; microbiology ; pathology ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; pathogenicity ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Premature Birth ; Reproductive Tract Infections ; microbiology ; physiopathology ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; methods ; Ureaplasma Infections ; microbiology ; pathology ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; pathogenicity

OBJECTIVETo prepare antibodies against pORF5 plasmid protein of Chlamydia trachomatis and develop double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (DAS-ELISAs) for the detection of genital C. trachomatis infections.

METHODSThe pORF5 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and used to immunize BALB/c mice and New Zealand rabbits to produce monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and polyclonal antibody (pAb) for DAS-ELISAs. Clinical samples from 186 urogenital infection patients (groups I) and 62 healthy donors (groups II) were detected in parallel by the DAS-ELISAs developed in this study and by IDEIA PCE commercial ELISA.

RESULTSTwo hybridoma cell lines, named 2H4 and 4E6, stably secreting specific mAbs against pORF5 were obtained. The mAb 2H4 was recognized by 32 (17.20%, positive recognition rate) and 25 (13.44%), mAb 2H4 by 0 (0%) and 2 (3.22%) samples from groups I and II, respectively. The sensitivities of mAbs 2H4 and 4E6 were 92.11% and 77.78% and the specificities were 100% and 96.88%, respectively in relation to the IDEIA PCE commercial ELISA. The sensitivities of detection for the DAS-ELISAs were 10 ng/mL (based on 2H4) and 18 ng/mL (based on 4E6).

CONCLUSIONTwo DAS-ELISAs were developed in this study that provided a feasible and effective assay that could be considered alternative tools for the serodiagnosis of C. trachomatis infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Chlamydia Infections ; diagnosis ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; pathogenicity ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urogenital System ; microbiology ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome (FHCS) is a clinical entity characterized by inflammation of the liver capsule associated with genital tract infection. The aim of this study is to provide physicians with clinical suggestions for diagnostic approaches based on a series of patients who were diagnosed with FHCS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who were diagnosed with FHCS after presenting to the emergency department (ED). The symptoms, physical examinations, laboratory findings, radiological findings, and progress of the patients were reviewed. RESULTS: During the four-year study period, a total of 82 female patients received a final diagnosis of FHCS in the ED. Chlamydia trachomatis was identified as a pathogen in 89% of the patients. Their clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were described. Fifty-two patients (63.4%) were admitted to the hospital. All of the admitted patients improved after treatment combining antibiotic therapy with conservative care. CONCLUSION: FHCS should be considered as a differential diagnosis for female patients of childbearing age with right upper abdominal pain. Timely diagnosis using biphasic computed tomography (CT) with arterial and portal phases may help ensure adequate medical treatment as well as avoid invasive procedures.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Chlamydia Infections/drug therapy/microbiology/*pathology/radiography ; Chlamydia trachomatis/pathogenicity ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Hepatitis/drug therapy/microbiology/*pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease/drug therapy/microbiology/*pathology/radiography ; Peritonitis/drug therapy/microbiology/*pathology/radiography ; Reproductive Tract Infections/drug therapy/microbiology/pathology/radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the nonbacterial pathogens in children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) in Nanjing.

METHODSThe presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) was determined by quantitative PCR in the nasopharyngeal samples from 1 592 hospitalized children with ARI. Common respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), influenza virus types A and B (IVA and IVB), parainfluenza virus types 1, 2, 3(PIV-1, 2, 3) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV), were detected using direct immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSMP and CT were detected in 25.7% and 2.4% of the 1 592 samples respectively. The overall positive rate of respiratory viruses was 40.9%. Among the viruses, the top detected virus was RSV (61.3%), followed by PIV-3 (6.7%) and hMPV (4.9%). Mixed infection among MP, CT and viruses was observed in 107 cases (6.7%). The infants under 1 year old were susceptible to mix-infection (68/107, 63.6%).

CONCLUSIONSRespiratory virus is the main pathogen responsible for ARI in children from Nanjing. RSV is the most commonly identified virus. MP is also the frequently identified pathogen for ARI in children. Mixed infection is common in infants under 1 year old.

Adenoviruses, Human ; isolation & purification ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Metapneumovirus ; isolation & purification ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; isolation & purification ; Orthomyxoviridae ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; microbiology ; virology

OBJECTIVE: To determine the signaling pathway required for Chlamydial induction of IL-8 expression in epithelial cells. METHODS: The production and localization of IL-8 in Chlamydia-infected Hela 229 cells were monitored using Western blot, immunoflourescence, and ELISA. Activation of MAPK and NF-kappaB signaling pathways were detected by Western blot and immunoflourescence. The effect of different signaling pathways on Chlamydia-induced Il-8 was measured by experiments of chemical inhibitors. RESULTS: IL-8 was induced by Chlamydia and was time-dependant. Chlamydial infection activated MAPK/ERK and MAPK/p38 pathways but not NF-kappaB pathway. Chlamydial induction of IL-8 was blocked by small molecule inhibitors targeting the ERK and p38 pathways. CONCLUSION Chlamydia-induced IL-8 in cervical epithelial cells, the natural target cell type of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, is dependent on MAPK pathway but not NF-kappaB pathway, which provides important information for further understanding the molecular mechanism of Chlamydia-induced inflammatory pathologies.
Chlamydia Infections ; metabolism ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; physiology ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; microbiology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; biosynthesis ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the infection and the drug resistance status of mycoplasma and chlamydiae in genitourinary tracts of children with suspected nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) and provide information for clinical rational administration of antimicrobial agents.

METHODSSamples of genitourinary tract secretion from 146 children who were suspected of having nongonococcal urethritis or colpitis were collected and tested for mycoplasma via culture and for chlamydia with antigen detection. Meanwhile, susceptibility test was carried out on the samples which were positive in mycoplasma cultivation. Chlamydia antigen was detected by the polymer conjugate-enhanced (PCE) indirect enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (IDEIA PCE Chlamydia; DAKO). The mycoplasma culture medium was produced by Nanjing Liming Biological Products Co,. Ltd. Antibiotics used for susceptibility test were erythromycin, roxithromycin, josamycin, leucomycin, meleumycin, rovamycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, cycloate erythromycin, and clindamycin.

RESULTSFifteen samples were positive for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) by antigen detection (10.3%), 82 samples were positive in mycoplasma cultivation (56.2%), and among the 82 samples, 58 were positive for Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu, 39.7%), 9 were positive for Mycoplasma hominis (Mh, 6.2%), and 15 were positive for Uu and Mh (10.3%). Of all the samples, 4 were positive for both Uu and Ct (2.7%). The rates of drug resistance of the 10 commonly used antibiotics were as follows: erythromycin 32.9%, roxithromycin 41.5%, josamycin 19.5%, leucomycin 22.0%, meleumycin 28.0%, rovamycin 30.5%, azithromycin 37.8%, clarithromycin 26.8%, davercin 24.4%, and clindamycin 26.8%, respectively. The results indicated that drug resistance rates of josamycin and leucomycin were the lowest, and the rates of roxithromycin and azithromycin were the highest.

CONCLUSIONSThe infection rates of mycoplasma and chlamydia in children suspected NGU were high. Mycoplasma showed drug resistance to a different degree to 10 common antibiotics. The results of chemosensitivity showed that josamycin had the highest susceptibility rate.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chlamydia Infections ; microbiology ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mycoplasma Infections ; microbiology ; Mycoplasma hominis ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Ureaplasma Infections ; microbiology ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; drug effects ; isolation & purification