This is an awesome time lapse video of a cluster of cells in which a Chlamydial inclusion develops as indicated in the circle. When you have sexual intercourse with someone who is infected with this bug, it initially enters your cells via endocytosis. Shortly thereafter, an inclusion, which is pointed out by the arrow, becomes visible in your cells via microscopy. After the inclusion, also referred to as the reticulate body, matures around the 78 hour mark, we witness cell lysis and release of C. Trachomatis bacteria. This is how the bug spreads to regional areas. Typically around this time, the patient will begin to experience symptoms and complications such as urethritis, abnormal discharge and / or small, painless ulcers on the genitals with swollen, painful inguinal lymph nodes. Chlamydia infects human cells by growing inside of them, it is unable to make its own ATP, therefore it requires a host to steal ATP from in order to thrive (replicating via a process called fission).
The root word ‘chlamys’ describes a cloak that was worn by men in Ancient Greece; this root is used to describe how these bugs are ‘cloaked’ by the cell in which they grow. I never truly understood how common STIs were in our younger population until I got to see it first hand. This is an important reminder to practice safe sex via barrier methods and / or to avoid sexual contact all together by practicing abstinence if you want to avoid complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Written by Student Doctor: Navpreet Singh Badesha
©02/23/2018 All Rights Reserved.
As always, be aware and remember to practice safe habits.
