The difficulty in eradicating Chlamydia is profoundly discussed in this text.
Sexually transmitted Chlamydia infections are the most prevalent, particularly affecting young individuals, as per the German Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA). Recent research suggests that these bacterial pathogens survive in the body by utilizing specific niches, specifically the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. This could explain why fresh infections appear in various body areas.
Thomas Rudel's team from the University of Würzburg expounds on this theory in their journal "PLoS Pathogens". They propose that recurring Chlamydia infections might take place in various tissues, including the genital tract, due to the bacterium's ability to persist in the body after colonizing the gastrointestinal tract.
Bacterial dormancy
While previous knowledge about this idea primarily comes from mouse studies, their applicability to humans is limited. It remains unclear if the human gastrointestinal tract can indeed serve as a base for persistent Chlamydia infections, potentially acting as a reservoir for genital tract reinfections.
Persistence occurs when bacteria are still alive but do not multiply. Many bacteria enter this dormant state in unfavorable environments and revert to normal reproductive growth under better conditions. The slow multiplication of the bacteria during persistence often results in little or no symptoms and makes persistent infections tough to treat with antibiotics.
Tests on mini-organ cultures
Rudel's researchers employed organoids, 3D engineered mini-organs based on human gastrointestinal tract cells, for their study. Epithelial cells from stomach, small intestine, and large intestine organoids were cultured and infected with Chlamydia.
Chlamydia can enter cells via specific pathways and form either normal developmental forms or persistence-like developmental forms. Intact, healthy epithelium appears resistant to C. trachomatis infections, the researchers claim. The epithelial barrier most likely needs to be compromised for an infection—possibly due to inflammation, proliferation, or mucous membrane micro-lesions.
The model used by the researchers has some limitations, such as lacking natural microbial colonization and an intact immune system.
Infertility as an aftermath
Chlamydia trachomatis is a human-specific bacterium, one of the leading causes of sexually transmitted infections worldwide. While most infections produce no symptoms, some people may experience discharge, burning during urination, or pain during sex. Symptoms might improve or disappear on their own, according to the BZgA.
However, it's crucial to note that a Chlamydia infection may still persist in the body without showing any symptoms, potentially spreading to other areas. Untreated infections could lead to inflammation of the reproductive organs, eventually resulting in infertility in both women and men over time. If detected early, these infections are often curable using antibiotics.
The theory suggests that Chlamydia infections might recur in various tissues, including the genital tract, due to the bacterium's ability to persist in the body after colonizing the gastrointestinal tract, highlighting the potential role of sexually transmitted Chlamydia infections as silent carriers that can lead to infertility over time.
Despite the findings, it's important to acknowledge that the human gastrointestinal tract's capability to serve as a reservoir for persistent Chlamydia infections remains unclear, requiring further research to confirm this hypothesis and develop targeted treatment strategies for persistent sexually transmitted infections.
