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.[1] 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.[2]
A chronic chlamydophila pneumoniae infection can be treated with antibiotics.[3]
Testing[edit | edit source]
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.[4] Common tests for chlamydophila pneumoniae include the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test[5] 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.[6]
Treatment[edit | edit source]
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.[2] Some patients have reported recovery after being treated with Dr Stratton's original protocol[7]. More information on treatment options can be found on CPN Help's Treatment Protocols page[8].
Notable studies[edit | edit source]
- 1999, Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection: A Treatable Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome[2] - (Article)
- 2003, Multiple co-infections (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, human herpes virus-6) in blood of chronic fatigue syndrome patients: association with signs and symptoms[9] - (Abstract)
Learn more[edit | edit source]
- CPN Help Website
- John E. Tovey: Chlamydia pneumoniae infection a treatable cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Response (BMJ)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Chlamydia pneumoniae not caught like you thought
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chia, J.K.; Chia, L.Y. (August 1999). "Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection: a treatable cause of chronic fatigue syndrome". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 29 (2): 452–453. doi:10.1086/520239. ISSN 1058-4838. PMID 10476765.
- ↑ Tovey, John E. (October 2007). "Chlamydia pneumoniae infection a treatable cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". BMJ.
- ↑ "Diagnosis Issues | Cpnhelp.org". cpnhelp.org. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ↑ Wang, San-pin (June 2000). "The Microimmunofluorescence Test for Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection: Technique and Interpretation". The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 181 (Supplement 3): S421–S425. doi:10.1086/315622.
- ↑ Chia, John (August 29, 1999). "Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection: A Treatable Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" (PDF).
- ↑ "Astrodiana's story: Cure from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with Dr. Stratton's original protocol | Cpnhelp.org". cpnhelp.org. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ↑ "Treatment Protocols | Cpnhelp.org". cpnhelp.org. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ↑ Nicolson, G.L.; Gan, R.; Haier, J. (May 2003). "Multiple co-infections (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, human herpes virus-6) in blood of chronic fatigue syndrome patients: association with signs and symptoms". APMIS: acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica. 111 (5): 557–566. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0463.2003.1110504.x. ISSN 0903-4641. PMID 12887507.
