Clearing Chlamydia abortus infection in epithelial cells and primary human macrophages by use of antibiotics and the MDM2-p53-inhibitor nutlin-3.

Chlamydia (C.) abortus is an emerging zoonotic pathogen. Since data on its antimicrobial susceptibility are lacking, we aimed to determine minimal inhibitory (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) for azithromycin and doxycycline in HeLa-cells and primary human macrophages (M1).

The Putative Type III Secreted Virulence-Associated Protein CAB063 Targets Lamin and Induces Apoptosis.

Since intracellular survival of all chlamydiae depends on the manipulation of the host cell through type III secreted effector proteins, their characterization is crucial for the understanding of chlamydial pathogenesis. We functionally characterized the putative type III secreted protein CAB063, describe its intracellular localization and identified pro- and eukaryotic binding partners. Based on an experimental infection model and plasmid transfections, we investigated the subcellular localization of CAB063 by immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoelectron microscopy, and Western blot analysis.

Analysis of humoral immune responses to recombinant Chlamydia pneumoniae antigens.

Objectives: Chlamydia pneumoniae is a difficult to diagnose respiratory pathogen. This study was performed to systematically characterize humoral immune responses to selected C. pneumoniae antigens in order to provide novel serodiagnostic perspectives for clinical and epidemiological issues.

Analysis of Humoral Immune Responses to Surface and Virulence-Associated Chlamydia abortus Proteins in Ovine and Human Abortions by Use of a Newly Developed Line Immunoassay.

The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia abortus is the causative agent of enzootic abortion of ewes and poses a significant zoonotic risk for pregnant women. Using proteomic analysis and gene expression library screening in a previous project, we identified potential virulence factors and candidates for serodiagnosis, of which nine were scrutinized here with a strip immunoassay. We have shown that aborting sheep exhibited a strong antibody response to surface (MOMP, MIP, Pmp13G) and virulence-associated (CPAF, TARP, SINC) antigens.

Profiling antibody responses to infections by Chlamydia abortus enables identification of potential virulence factors and candidates for serodiagnosis.

Enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE) due to infection with the obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia (C.) abortus is an important zoonosis leading to considerable economic loss to agriculture worldwide. The pathogen can be transmitted to humans and may lead to serious infection in pregnant women.