Chlamydiae
Chlamydiae
Chlamydiae (pronounced: kluh-MID-ee-uh) is a phylum of bacteria that are obligate intracellular parasites.
Etymology
The term "Chlamydiae" comes from the Greek word chlamys, which means "cloak". This refers to the way these bacteria live inside the cells of their hosts, effectively cloaked from the host's immune system.
Description
Chlamydiae are unique among bacteria because they have a complex life cycle that involves two distinct stages: the elementary body and the reticulate body. The elementary body is the infectious form of the bacteria, while the reticulate body is the reproductive form.
Diseases
Chlamydiae are known to cause a variety of diseases in humans and animals. The most common disease caused by these bacteria in humans is Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection. Other diseases caused by Chlamydiae include Psittacosis, a disease that affects birds and can be transmitted to humans, and Trachoma, a major cause of blindness worldwide.
Treatment
Treatment for diseases caused by Chlamydiae typically involves antibiotics, such as Doxycycline or Azithromycin. However, because these bacteria live inside cells, they can be difficult to eradicate completely, and reinfection is common.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chlamydiae
- Wikipedia's article - Chlamydiae
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