C. trachomatis
Classification
Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Genus species
Description and Significance
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
Genome Structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
The life phase of Chlamydia trachomatis comprises of two steps: elementary body and reticulate body. The elementary body is the spreading form, which is analogous to a spore. The spreading form is about 0.3 um in diameter and makes its own endocytosis upon contact to target cells. It is this form that averts phagolysosomal fusion, which then permits for intracellular survival of the bacteria. Once inside the endosome, the elementary body develops into the reticulate body as a result of the glycogen that is created. The reticulate body splits through binary fission at approximately 2-3 hours per generation. The cell body has a maturation period of 7-21 days in the host. It has no cell wall and is identified as an inclusion in the cell. After division, the reticulate body converts back to the elementary form and is released by the cell by exocytosis. One phagolysosome generally make bout 100-1000 elementary bodies [2]. For metabolism, Chlamydia trachomatis has a glycolytic pathway and a linked tricarboxylic acid cycle. Glycogen production and use of glucose derivatives plays a supportive role in chlamydial metabolism. The occurrence of metabloic precursors and products, such as pyruvate, succinate, glycerol-3-phosphate and NADH dehydrogenases, NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase and cytochrome oxidase specify that Chlamydia trachomatis uses a form of electron transport in order to yield energy [2].
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Chlamydia trachomatis is a pathogenic bacteria. It cannot stay alive outside of a eukaryotic host. In fact, humans are the only recognized usual host for C. trachomatis. The bacterium is transmitted by sexual contact with an infected individual.[3] Usually, C. trachomatis is asymptomatic in its hosts, but can produce discharge from the penis, pain and burning through urination, infection or inflammation in the ducts of testicles, and sensitivity or pain in the testicles. [3]
References
Author
Page authored by Alicia Smith, student of Prof. Doreen Cunningham at Saint Augustine's College.
