The Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol 38, Issue 4 278-285, Copyright © 1993 by Society for General Microbiology

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Intracellular persistence of chlamydial major outer-membrane protein, lipopolysaccharide and ribosomal RNA after non-productive infection of human monocytes with Chlamydia trachomatis serovar K

E. Schmitz, E. Nettelnbreker, H. Zeidler, M. Hammer, E. Manor and J. Wollenhaupt
Department of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Medical School, Hannover, Germany.

The replication of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar K was studied in human peripheral blood monocytes (PBMo). The intracellular fate of the bacteria was examined by determining the presence of chlamydial major outer-membrane protein (MOMP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). In-vitro infection of PBMo with C. trachomatis serovar K was not productive. However, chlamydial MOMP antigen, demonstrated by immunofluorescence, was present in PBMo for up to 14 days. Infected monocytes also contained chlamydial rRNA, measured by in-vitro hybridisation, and LPS, measured by enzyme immunoassay, for up to 14 days. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that the infection of PBMo with C. trachomatis may play a role in the systemic distribution of chlamydial antigens, leading to systemic manifestations of urogenital chlamydial infection.

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