Chlamydia pneumoniae

Chlamydia pneumoniae is an intracellular bacterial species that infects humans, causing respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

Elementary body: The infectious, metabolically inactive form of a chlamydial bacterium that enters host cells. This compact form initiates C. pneumoniae infection by attaching to and entering respiratory cells.
Atypical pneumonia: Pneumonia that often has a gradual onset and differs from classic lobar bacterial pneumonia in symptoms or imaging. C. pneumoniae is one cause of this clinical pattern.
Chlamydia trachomatis: An obligate intracellular bacterial species that causes sexually transmitted and ocular infections in humans. Unlike C. pneumoniae, it is best known for genital and eye disease rather than respiratory infection.
Community-acquired pneumonia: Pneumonia acquired outside a hospital or long-term care facility. C. pneumoniae can cause pneumonia acquired in the community.
Reticulate body: The intracellular, metabolically active form of a chlamydial bacterium, which grows and divides inside a host cell. After entry, C. pneumoniae converts into this replicating form within a membrane-bound inclusion.
Polymerase chain reaction: A laboratory method that amplifies selected DNA sequences for detection or analysis. PCR testing of respiratory samples can detect C. pneumoniae genetic material.
Chlamydia psittaci: An intracellular bacterial species transmitted mainly from birds that causes psittacosis in humans. Both can cause pneumonia, but C. psittaci is usually linked to bird exposure.
Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchi, commonly causing cough and mucus production. C. pneumoniae can infect the airways and cause bronchitis without pneumonia.
Chlamydial inclusion: A membrane-bound compartment inside a host cell where chlamydiae develop and replicate. C. pneumoniae remodels this compartment to support its intracellular life cycle.
Serology: The study or diagnostic testing of antibodies and other immune components in blood serum. Antibody tests have been used to assess C. pneumoniae infection, though interpretation can be difficult.

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