RT Journal Article ID 4dc95adc2ba5aeef A1 Beagley, Kenneth A1 Huston, Wilhelmina M. A1 Hansbro, Philip M. A1 Timms, Peter T1 Chlamydial Infection of Immune Cells: Altered Function and Implications for Disease JF Critical Reviews™ in Immunology JO CRI YR 2009 FD 2009-08-12 VO 29 IS 4 SP 275 OP 305 K1 Chlamydia trachcomatis K1 Chlamydia pneumoniae K1 Chlamydia psittaci K1 monocyte K1 macrophage K1 dendritic cell K1 polymorphonuclear leukocyte AB Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that infects the genital and ocular mucosa of humans, causing infections that can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and blinding trachoma. C. pneumoniae is a respiratory pathogen that is the cause of 12−15% of community-acquired pneumonia. Both chlamydial species were believed to be restricted to the epithelia of the genital, ocular, and respiratory mucosa; however, increasing evidence suggests that both these pathogens can be isolated from peripheral blood of both healthy individuals and patients with inflammatory conditions such as coronary artery disease and asthma. Chlamydia can also be isolated from brain tissues of patients with degenerative neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis, and also from certain lymphomas. An increasing number of in vitro studies suggest that some chlamydial species can infect immune cells, at least at low levels. These infections may alter immune cell function in a way that promotes chlamydial persistence in the host and contributes to the progression of several chronic inflammatory diseases. In this paper, we review the evidence for the growth of Chlamydia in immune cells, particularly monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells, and describe how infection may affect the function of these cells. PB Begell House LK https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/2ff21abf44b19838,0104643e0471e3e3,4dc95adc2ba5aeef.html