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Ultrastructure of Chlamydia pneumoniae in cell culture
V L Popov1, A A Shatkin, V N Pankratova
1Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the U.S.S.R., Moscow.
Abstract:
The electron microscopic appearance of Chlamydia pneumoniae elementary bodies with pear-shaped, loose outer membrane has been suggested as one criterion of its classification as a new chlamydial species. The study of the original strain TW 183 in LCL 929 and HL cells and a low-passage isolate of Kajaani-6 isolate in HL cells revealed spherical compact elementary bodies common to other chlamydia.
Insights
Chlamydia pneumoniae elementary bodies are not pear-shaped. Electron microscopy revealed spherical elementary bodies, similar to other chlamydia species, challenging previous classification criteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The classification of Chlamydia pneumoniae as a distinct species was partly based on proposed unique morphological characteristics of its elementary bodies.
- Previous electron microscopic studies suggested a pear-shaped morphology with a loose outer membrane for Chlamydia pneumoniae elementary bodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electron microscopic appearance of Chlamydia pneumoniae elementary bodies.
- To evaluate whether the suggested pear-shaped morphology is a consistent characteristic for Chlamydia pneumoniae classification.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy was used to examine elementary bodies.
- The original Chlamydia pneumoniae strain TW 183 was cultured in LCL 929 and HL cells.
- A low-passage isolate of the Kajaani-6 strain was cultured in HL cells.
Main Results:
- Electron microscopy revealed that elementary bodies of the original Chlamydia pneumoniae strain TW 183 were spherical and compact.
- Elementary bodies of the Kajaani-6 isolate also exhibited a spherical and compact morphology.
- These observed morphologies are consistent with those of elementary bodies from other known chlamydia species.
Conclusions:
- The electron microscopic appearance of Chlamydia pneumoniae elementary bodies is not uniquely pear-shaped.
- The observed spherical and compact morphology challenges the criterion of a pear-shaped outer membrane for classifying Chlamydia pneumoniae as a new species.
- Further studies are needed to refine the classification criteria for Chlamydia pneumoniae.