Chlamydiae as Symbionts in Eukaryotes

摘要: Members of the phylum Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria that were discovered about a century ago. Although major pathogens humans and animals, they long recognized only as phylogenetically well-separated, small group closely related microorganisms. The diversity chlamydiae, their host range, occurrence in environment had been largely underestimated. Today, several chlamydia-like have described symbionts free-living amoebae other eukaryotic hosts. Some these environmental chlamydiae might also be medical relevance for humans. Their analysis has contributed to broader understanding chlamydial biology novel insights into evolution unique