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Updated: May 8, 2026

Forward Genetic Approaches in Chlamydia trachomatis
Published on: October 23, 2013
Genetic variation in Chlamydia trachomatis and their hosts: impact on disease severity and tissue tropism
Hossam Abdelsamed1, Jan Peters1,2, Gerald I Byrne1,2
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
Abstract:
Chlamydia trachomatis infections are a global health problem. This obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen comprises lymphogranuloma venereum (L1-L3), ocular (A-C) and genital (D-K) serovars. Although genetically similar, each serovar group differs in disease severity and tissue tropism through mechanisms that are not well understood. It is clear that host genetic differences also play a role in chlamydial disease outcome and key host polymorphisms are beginning to emerge from both human and experimental animal studies. In this review, we will highlight pathogen and host genes that link genetic diversity, disease severity and tissue tropism. We will also use this information to provide new insights that may be helpful in developing improved management strategies for these important pathogens.
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