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Parachlamydia acanthamoebae: disease-causing pathogen or opportunistic bystander?

Simone E Adams1, Carole Kebbi-Beghdadi1, Mirja Puolakkainen2

  • 1Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Journal of Medical Microbiology
|March 19, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Parachlamydia acanthamoebae, found in amoebae, can cause human respiratory infections. Further research and diagnostic testing are needed to understand its prevalence and disease association.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Parachlamydia acanthamoebae is an obligate intracellular bacterium within the Chlamydiales order.
  • It was first discovered in Acanthamoeba from a humidifier during a respiratory infection outbreak investigation.
  • Its pathogenic potential in humans remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess current knowledge on the pathogenic potential of P. acanthamoebae.
  • To highlight existing knowledge gaps regarding this bacterium.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Parachlamydia acanthamoebae.
  • Analysis of its association with human respiratory infections.

Main Results:

  • Amoebae serve as the primary reservoir for P. acanthamoebae.
  • Infection likely occurs via nasal passage entry through contaminated water or animals.
  • Infected amoebae can reach the lower respiratory tract, triggering a lytic cycle and causing human illness.

Conclusions:

  • P. acanthamoebae is linked to various human respiratory conditions like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
  • Underreporting of prevalence is likely due to infrequent diagnostic testing.
  • Implementing serological, molecular testing, and epidemiological studies is crucial for understanding colonization-disease links.
Keywords:
Chlamydia-related bacteriaChlamydiales orderemerging pathogenlung infectionprotistsvirulence

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