The role of Chlamydia trachomatis in the pathogenesis of female reproductive organs cancers

Adebisi Saka Bamiro,Kehinde Segun Nathaniel,Louis C Ajonuma,Samira Lobo Makanjuola

doi:10.3823/2574

Adebisi Saka Bamiro, Kehinde Segun Nathaniel + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3823/2574

Copy DOI

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is an intracellular obligate bacterium. It is the most common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) amongst a spectrum of diseases. Chlamydia infection is of a major public health concern especially in developing countries. It is estimated that about 600 million people are infected worldwide annually yet its roles in the pathogenesis of gynecological cancers are poorly understood and has not been fully elucidated. An understanding of the mechanisms underlying cancer development following PID due to C. trachomatis will be essential in prevention and providing more rational treatments. This review discusses the mechanisms and sequence of events linking Chlamydial infections to carcinogenesis in the female reproductive organs. Possible links between C. trachomatis infection and cancer development in the female reproductive organs are proposed. C. trachomatis infection as a co factor is also re-examined in light of these possible mechanisms.

Highlights

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is an intracellular obligate gram-negative bacterium
This review proposes the possible links between C. trachomatis in pelvic inflammatory disease and the subsequent gynecological cancers
C. trachomatis was recovered from uteri and Fallopian tubes of women with acute salpingitis [11] and its DNA detected in women with post-infectious infertility [13, 14]

Summary

Introduction

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is an intracellular obligate gram-negative bacterium. It exists in two forms, alternating between elementary body (EB) that is metabolically inactive but highly infectious and reticulate body that is metabolically active and involved in its replication. C. trachomatis infect epithelia of many organs leading to a spectrum of pathological. Keywords Chlamydia Trachomatis, Female Reproductive Organs, Infection, Cancers. Majority of the cases are sub-acute leading to persistence and /or chronic infection, which elicits immune response, tissue scaring, damage and other cascade of events such as epithelial transformation. There is little information in the literature regarding the mechanisms of C. trachomatis infection in the pathogenesis of gynecological cancers. The roles of C. trachomatis as a cofactor in the pathogenesis of gynecological cancers are examined in light of these mechanisms. New research on elucidating the involvement of C. trachomatis in gynecological cancers is suggested

Results

Conclusions

Geneva