Description
C.pneumoniae is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium. A number of diagnostic techniques are available including culture, polymerase chain reaction and serology. C.pneumoniae has been isolated from patients with community acquired pneumonia, and this organism has been implicated in the aetiology of infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The exact role in exacerbations of asthma is still undetermined. Growing evidence is now available of the possible link between cardiovascular disease and C.pneumoniae infection. Antibiotics trials have been conducted but as yet the full understanding of the possible role of these antichlamydial agents in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in undecided. More studies incorporating better diagnostic methods must be carried out before a full understanding of the implication of C.pneumoniae in disease is achieved.
