Chlamydia trachomatis MOMP antibody – clone 1656

Chlamydia trachomatis MOMP antibody (clone 1656), is a mouse monoclonal antibody that recognises the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. This antibody is suitable for use in ELISA assays and immunofluorescence applications.

Chlamydia trachomatis is a gram-negative obligate intracellular pathogen that belongs to the Chlamydiaceae family. Chlamydia trachomatis strains are divided into three biovars, which are further divided into fifteen serovars A, B, Ba, serovars C-K and serovars L1-L3. Chlamydia trachomatis serovars A-C cause eye infections known as trachoma. Serovars D-K are responsible for bacterial sexually transmitted genital tract infections in women and men. Chlamydia trachomatis serovars L1, L2 and L3 are responsible for a condition known as Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) (Elwell, C).

C.trachomatis infection of the genital tract is the most common cause of bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United states (CDC). The bacterium can infect mucosal cells of the genital tract, mouth or anus during unprotected sexual intercourse with an individual infected with C.trachomatis. During its life cycle the bacterium alternates between two forms, the infectious elementary body (EB) and the reticulate body, which is a non-infectious replicating form. The reticulate body replicates within a membrane bound compartment inside the cell. After several rounds of replication, the reticulate body develops into the infectious elementary body, which can then infect neighbouring cells (Elwell, C).

In women, C.trachomatis infects the cervix which may lead to cervicitis. However, 70-80% of women with C.trachomatis genital tract infection remain asymptomatic. In 10% of cases, the bacterium can infect the upper genital tract leading to pelvic inflammatory disease, scarring of the Fallopian tubes, ectopic pregnancies and infertility. C.trachomatis can also be transmitted to babies born to infected untreated mothers during childbirth, causing conjunctivitis or pneumonia.

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a condition that affects the lymphatic system, causing a range of clinical symptoms including proctitis, lymphadenitis, arthritis and genital lymphedema. LGV is endemic in tropical and sub-tropical regions and primarily affects sexually active heterosexual individuals. However, reports suggest that cases of LGV are increasing in the developed world, particularly in men who have sex with men. Both women and men can develop LGV but men often develop and present with proctitis early after infection whereas women remain unsymptomatic until the later stages of the disease (Ceovic, R).

References:

Elwell C, Mirrashidi K, Engel J. 2016. Chlamydia cell biology and pathogenesis. Nat Rev Microbiol. Jun;14(6):385-400.

Centers for Disease protection and Control; Chlamydia – CDC factsheet

Ceovic R, Gulin SJ.2015. Lymphogranuloma venereum: diagnostic and treatment challenges. Infect Drug Resist. 2015 Mar 27;8:39-47.

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