Twenty years of research into Chlamydia-like organisms: a revolution in our understanding of the biology and pathogenicity of members of the phylum Chlamydiae

Alyce Taylor-Brown; Lloyd Vaughan; Gilbert Greub; Peter Timms; Adam Polkinghorne

doi:10.1093/femspd/ftu009

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Twenty years of research into Chlamydia-like organisms: a revolution in our understanding of the biology and pathogenicity of members of the phylum Chlamydiae

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Twenty years of research into Chlamydia-like organisms: a revolution in our understanding of the biology and pathogenicity of members of the phylum Chlamydiae

Alyce Taylor-Brown, Lloyd Vaughan, Gilbert Greub, Peter Timms and Adam Polkinghorne

Pathogens and Disease, Vol.73(1), pp.1-15

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/femspd/ftu009

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Abstract

chlamydiae

bacterial pathogenesis

amoeba

genomics

phylogeny

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria that share a unique but remarkably conserved biphasic developmental cycle that relies on a eukaryotic host cell for survival. Although the phylum was originally thought to only contain one family, the Chlamydiaceae, a total of nine families are now recognized. These so-called Chlamydia-like organisms (CLOs) are also referred to as 'environmental chlamydiae', as many were initially isolated from environmental sources. However, these organisms are also emerging pathogens, as many, such as Parachlamydia sp., Simkania sp. and Waddlia sp., have been associated with human disease, and others, such as Piscichlamydia sp. and Parilichlamydia sp., have been documented in association with diseases in animals. Their strict intracellular nature and the requirement for cell culture have been a confounding factor in characterizing the biology and pathogenicity of CLOs. Nevertheless, the genomes of seven CLO species have now been sequenced, providing new information on their potential ability to adapt to a wide range of hosts. As new isolation and diagnostic methods advance, we are able to further explore the richness of this phylum with further research likely to help define the true pathogenic potential of the CLOs while also providing insight into the origins of the 'traditional' chlamydiae.

Details

Title: Twenty years of research into Chlamydia-like organisms: a revolution in our understanding of the biology and pathogenicity of members of the phylum Chlamydiae
Authors: Alyce Taylor-Brown (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Lloyd Vaughan (Author) - University of Zurich, Switzerland
Gilbert Greub (Author) - University of Lausanne, Switzerland
Peter Timms (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Adam Polkinghorne (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Pathogens and Disease, Vol.73(1), pp.1-15
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftu009
ISSN: 2049-632X
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449821002621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Immunology; Infectious Diseases; Microbiology

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