Chlamydiaceae

The family Chlamydiaceae includes obligate, intracellular pathogenic bacteria that can survive and multiply only inside a host cell. Taxonomically, members of Chlamydiales are classified in the order Chlamydiales, which has only one family, Chlamydiaceae, which has only one genus, Chlamydia . Diagnosis is typically based on serological methods to detect chlamydial infection-induced antibody response, although several molecular tests are reported and are in use as well. Chlamydial pathogens infect epithelial cells and mucous membranes. Chlamydia psittaci is reclassified into C. psittaci and Chlamydia abortus . Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted pathogen of humans in the United States. Clinical signs of Chlamydia pecorum infection vary from no symptoms to a severe disease involving the central nervous, respiratory, and digestive systems, joints, and conjunctiva. Chlamydia pneumoniae is responsible for causing a respiratory disease in humans.