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Parachlamydia acanthamoebae Detected during a Pneumonia Outbreak in Southeastern Finland, in 2017⁻2018

Kati Hokynar1, Satu Kurkela2, Tea Nieminen3

  • 1Department of Virology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland. kati.hokynar@helsinki.fi.

Microorganisms
|May 22, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Chlamydia-related bacteria (CRB) may cause community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Researchers found Parachlamydiaceae DNA in respiratory samples during a Mycoplasma pneumoniae outbreak, suggesting CRB as potential atypical CAP agents.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) presents a significant health burden with often unidentified etiological agents.
  • Chlamydia-related bacteria (CRB), including Parachlamydia acanthamoebae, are emerging pathogens implicated in respiratory infections.
  • Free-living amoeba are known hosts for CRB and potential vectors for transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of Chlamydiales bacteria and their hosts in respiratory specimens during a Mycoplasma pneumoniae outbreak.
  • To identify potential novel etiological agents of atypical CAP in children and adolescents.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular detection of Chlamydiales bacteria and amoebal DNA in patient respiratory samples.
  • Sequence analysis for identification of detected CRB species.
  • Correlation with a concurrent Mycoplasma pneumoniae outbreak.

Main Results:

  • Chlamydiales DNA was detected in 7.9% (22/278) of the respiratory samples.
  • The majority of detected CRB belonged to the Parachlamydiaceae family.
  • No amoebal DNA was found in the analyzed samples.

Conclusions:

  • Parachlamydiaceae represents a potential causative agent of atypical community-acquired pneumonia, particularly in pediatric populations.
  • CRB should be considered in the differential diagnosis of CAP when conventional pathogens are not identified.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of CRB in human respiratory infections.
Keywords:
Chlamydia pneumoniaeChlamydia-related bacteriaParachlamydia acanthamoebaedisease outbreaknucleic acid amplification testpneumoniarespiratory tract infections

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