Chlamydia pneumoniae

Chlamydia pneumoniae (also referred to as Chlamydophila pneumoniae or CPN) is an intracellular bacterium of the species Chlamydophila, and can infect people via airborne transmission. It is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia. It has been implicated as a potential cause of ME/CFS in a subset of patients. A study by Chia & Chia found that 10% of their patients had a chlamydophila pneumoniae infection which may have caused or contributed to their ME/CFS.

A chronic chlamydophila pneumoniae infection can be treated with antibiotics.

Testing
Accurately testing for chlamydia pneumoniae can be difficult, therefore, a negative blood test may not mean you do not have an infection. Additionally, there is a general shortage worldwide of facilities which can identify/diagnose Chlamydia pneumoniae. Common tests for chlamydophila pneumoniae include the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test or via biopsy.

Dr. John Chia notes that most ME/CFS patients with active Chlamydia pneumoniae infection will have high IgG antibody levels (but IgM is negative). Dr. Chia has treated patients with titers as low as 1:128.

Treatment
A chlamydophila pneumoniae infection, while an uncommon cause of ME/CFS, is one of the more treatable forms. Antibiotic treatment with azithromycin or rifampin can therefore improve or even cure patients. Chia & Chia found that while antibiotic treatment was successful in many patients, relapse was also common. Some patients have reported recovery after being treated with Dr Stratton's original protocol. More information on treatment options can be found on CPN Help's Treatment Protocols page.

Notable studies

 * 1999, Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection: A Treatable Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - (Article)
 * 2003, Multiple co-infections (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, human herpes virus-6) in blood of chronic fatigue syndrome patients: association with signs and symptoms - (Abstract)

Learn more

 * CPN Help Website
 * John E. Tovey: Chlamydia pneumoniae infection a treatable cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Response (BMJ)