Chlamydia pneumoniae

Chlamydia pneumoniae is now recognized as an important human pathogen. Chlamydia pneumoniae is involved in 5%-15% of community acquired pneumonias, and recent data indicate its relevance in severe pneumonia and as a respiratory pathogen in immunocompromised subjects. A causal role for Chlamydia pneumoniae in the initiation, exacerbations and promotion of asthma has been suggested. Approximately 5% of chronic bronchitis exacerbations have been attributed to Chlamydia pneumoniae infections, and chronic infection may facilitate access of other pathogens to the lower respiratory tract. Another field of potential great social impact is the possible involvement of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases. This book presents the current state-of-the-art knowledge on Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and highlights future lines of research.

History of Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR). - Chlamydia pneumoniae: Culture Methods. - Serology for Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR). - Chlamydia pneumoniae: Molecular Biology Methods. - Chlamydia pneumoniae Infections: Applications of Laboratory Methods. - Chlamydia pneumoniae: How to Document Respiratory Infection. - Chlamydia pneumoniae: Epidemiology. - Pharmacological and Pharmacokinetic Basis of Chlamydia pneumoniae Treatment. - Chlamydia pneumoniae: Clinical Characteristics of Acute Respiratory Infections. - Are Atypical Pathogens Important for Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia? . - Immunology of Chlamydia pneumoniae. - Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae Infections. - Chlamydia pneumoniae: A New Possible Cause of Asthma. - Chlamydia pneumoniae: An Important Pathogen in Chronic Bronchitis. - Chlamydia pneumoniae: A New Threat for HIV-infected Subjects. - Chlamydia pneumoniae: Epidemiology of a New Cardiovascular Risk Factor. - Chlamydia pneumoniae and Atherosclerosis: Mechanisms of Vascular Damage. - Chlamydia pneumoniae and Atherosclerosis: Animal Models. - Open and Controlled Intervention Trials for Unusual Anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae Indications: Asthma, Atherosclerosis, Myocardial Infarction. - Clarithromycin Treatment of Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae Infections Decreases Fibrinogen Plasma Level in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease. - Antibiotic Treatment in Atherosclerosis and Myocardial Infarction. - A Controlled Intervention Study with Antibiotics in Symptomatic Coronary Patients Irrespective of Serology. - Open-Label Before-After Trials of Anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae Antibiotics in Asthma. - Treatment of Chronic Infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae in Asthma. - Chlamydia pneumoniae Infections in Children. - Perspectives and Perceptions on the Clinical Relevance ofChlamydia pneumoniae Infection.