How is trachoma diagnosed?
The pathogen causing trachoma is the gram-negative bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which belongs to the family of Chlamydia. It occurs in two different forms: Outside a host cell it exists as a very resistant elementary body (EK) with a diameter of 0.25-0.3 μm. In this form, the bacterium infects the host cell.
Upon uptake by the cell, the elementary bodies are enclosed in vacuoles that protect them from the cell’s own degradation. In these inclusions, the elementary bodies transform into reticular bodies (RK), which have their own metabolism, and begin to multiply by division. After 2-3 days, the host cell perishes, the chlamydia, which have matured back into elementary bodies, are released and can then attack other cells again.
The transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis occurs mainly by smear infection, a direct transmission of pathogens by touch, within close biological communities, for example when sharing towels. They can also be transmitted by flies and insects that settle in the inner corner of the eyelid and cause inflammation in malnourished, weakened children and adults. Lack of hygiene plays a decisive role.
In the population groups of tropical countries, which live under good hygienic conditions due to an adequate water supply, trachoma is practically non-existent. In the scar stage, the disease is hardly contagious. There is no permanent immunity.
Chlamydia trachomatis (trachoma) is the causative agent of two forms of conjunctivitis: in countries with good hygienic conditions, such as Central Europe, serotypes D-K cause adult chlamydia conjunctivitis (“inclusion body conjunctivitis”), in countries with poor hygienic conditions serotypes A-C cause trachoma, which often starts in childhood. The pathogen causing trachoma is Chlamydia trachomatis. There are different groups of these bacteria.
More precisely, trachoma is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis serovar A-C. It is transmitted directly by flies from person to person. Chlamydia are gram-negative bacteria that live only intracellularly.
Chlamydia causes a variety of diseases. Other groups are, for example, the cause of urogenital infections and lung diseases. and Chlamydia infection of the lung
