Question

Does chlamydia trachomatis grow in biofilms? If so, illustrate how the biofilm would assemble. If not, illustrate how chlamydia trachomatis would interact with a biofilm.

Answer 1

Does chlamydia trachomatis grow in biofilms? If so, illustrate how the biofilm would assemble. If not, illustrate how chlamydia trachomatis would interact with a biofilm

It has been noted that Chlamydia trachomatis takes part in formation of biofilm that results in persistence of chlamydia. The chlamydia are obligate pathogens and their persistence leads to higher transmission levels. Bacterial biofilms are caused in the humans that lead to formation of diseases. Depending upon the organism, the thickness and maturity of bacterial biofilms is greater. This pathogenic link has been established between the bacterial biofilms and a disease known as reactive arthritis. The Chlamydia trachomatis takes part in formation of biofilms. This leads to a failure of the generally used antibacterial therapies.

There are presence of bacterial membrane vesicles that lead to biofilms formstion in Chlamydia trachomatis. These vesicles would be formed at the time of intracellular infections. The persistent for of chlamydia is in the form of an aberrant form of bacteria, owing to its persistence in the human cells. There are polymorphic adhesion proteins, known as Pmp, having 21 proteins which would be binding to the epidermal growth factor receptors. Pmp beta helixes would be forming oligomers and resulting in formation of biofilms. This happens through proteolytic processing Pmp 6, pmp20, Pmp 21, with adhesive properties.