Pmp Repertoires Influence the Different Infectious Potential of Avian and Mammalian Strains.

is the etiological agent of chlamydiosis in birds and can be transmitted to humans, causing severe systemic disease. infects a broad range of hosts; strains are isolated not only from birds but also from mammals, where they seem to have a reduced infectious and zoonotic potential. Comparative analysis of chlamydial genomes revealed the coding sequences of polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmps) to be highly variable regions.