Resistance, antigens and toxins

RESISTANCE,ANTIGENSAND TOXINS

Resistance

  • Chlamydiae are heat labile, being inactivated within minutes at 560C.
  • They are susceptible to ethanol, ether and low concentration of phenol and formalin.
  • Infectivity is maintained for several days at 40C.
  • They can be preserved frozen at –700C or lyophilized.
  • The elementary bodies are relatively resistant and remain viable for several days under sutiable environmental condition.
  • They are highly sensitive to oxytetracycline, erythromycin and tylosin.

Antigens and toxins

  • All Chlamydiae share a group (genus) specific antigen.
  • This antigen, also known as complement fixation antigen, is LPS in nature.
  • In addition Chlamydiae possess species specific and serovar (serotype) specific antigen.
  • Based on OM protein antigens, more than 10 serovars of C.psittaci have been described.
  • Chlamydiae produce a toxin, probably protein in nature, which is lethal to mice on intra venous inoculation.
  • The toxin is specifically neutralized by the antitoxin.
Last modified: Monday, 4 June 2012, 5:52 AM