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Isolation of Chlamydia spp. in Cell Culture, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555817435/9781555815271_Chap10_6-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555817435/9781555815271_Chap10_6-2.gifAbstract:
Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria that contain RNA and DNA, have a cell wall resembling those of gram-negative bacteria, and multiply by binary fission in a manner distinct from those of other bacteria. The 300- to 400-nm spherical elementary body (EB) is the infectious form of the organism. Following cellular infection, the EB reorganizes into a larger, metabolically active reticulate body (RB), which divides repeatedly by binary fission for 24 to 48 h and eventually develops into the characteristic intracytoplasmic inclusion. Human infections associated with the genus Chlamydia are summarized in Table 10.6-1 . Despite the introduction of numerous nonculture assays, including amplified assays, culture remains an important assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis infections and, because of its specificity, is recommended for laboratory testing in cases of sexual abuse and medicolegal situations.