Cystic fibrosis is thought to be a genetic defect in the CFTR gene, affecting mucosal epithelial cells; and gastrointestinal disease is a common co-morbid condition. Chlamydia trachoma attacks mucosal epithelial cells and spreads through macrophages. Mucosal epithelial cells are present throughout the body, lining the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract, joints, bladder, and vascular system. Chlamydia trachoma is present in the reproductive tract of approximately 20% of pregnant women. Respiratory trachoma infection is known to occur in infants under 6 months of age.
Chlamydia trachoma has been found in intestinal epithelial cells, and intestinal cells may provide a host that protects the pathogen from the immune system, and allows replication, reinfection, and development of resistance. Intracellular trachoma infection in gastrointestinal epithelial cells supports a “gut” connection in many chronic diseases, as the pathogen spreads over time, making eradication more difficult.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC373454/#B35
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC155536/
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0215956
https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(10)00100-7/pdf
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