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The biology of chlamydiae

Introduction

For a long time the chlamydiae were thought to be viruses. It took the electron microscope studies of the early 1960s before it finally became clear that the chlamydia are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens of higher cells. The Chlamydiales however, differ from the other main order of intracellular bacteria, the Rickettsiales, in their characteristic dimorphic growth cycle [see: evolution of the Chlamydiales].

This section deals first with chlamydial ultrastructure and the growth cycle followed by a brief section on intracellular chlamydial interactions with the host cell. A section on the chlamydial outer envelope focuses on the main point of interaction between chlamydiae and the outside world. The chlamydial genome is dealt with in outline only because of the excellent genome web sites. Persistent chlamydial infection and its biological basis is followed by a section on basic chlamydial immunology, immunopathology and vaccine development. Finally there is Jim Moulder's excellent essay on the evolution of the Chlamydiales. 

It is suggested the reader follows through this set of articles in sequence by clicking on the <NEXT> link. Be aware, however, that this is something of a challenge; there are 71 articles in this section alone. Articles will be periodically updated.

[MEW] May 2004

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