CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIAE
C. pneumoniae has been shown to be a cause of
“walking pneumonia” in adults world- wide. It is estimated that 10% of
pneumonia and 5% of bronchitis cases are due to this agent. Epidemiologic
evidence indicates that infection occurs throughout the year and is spread
between humans by person to person contact. Unlike psittacosis, birds are not
the reservoir. Outbreaks of community-acquired pneumonia caused by C. pneumoniae have been reported, as has
apparent nosocomial spread. Reinfections occur, and clinically evident C. pneumoniae infection may be more
evident in the elderly than in younger individuals.Most infections present as
pharyngitis, lower respiratory tract disease, or both, and the clinical
spectrum is similar to that of Mycoplasma
pneumoniae infection. Pharyngitis or laryngitis may occur 1 to 3 weeks
prior to bronchitis or pneumonia, and cough may persist for weeks. The
diagnosis is established by serologic testing or culture, but these tests are
not routinely available. Treatment with tetracycline or erythromycin is
effective in amelio-rating the signs and symptoms of C. pneumoniae infection. Currently, there is ongoing scientific
interest in the potential role of persistent infection by C. pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of human vascular endothelial and
intimal diseases, such as atherosclerosis.
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