Abstract
The recognition of Chlamydia pneumoniae as a separate species within the Chlamydia genus is relatively recent [1], but clues in literature for the existence of this agent date back to at least 50 years ago. In the paper Atypical pneumonia and psittacosis published on the Journal of Clinical Investigation in 1943 [2], Smadel described cases of pneumonia with a positive complement fixation test for psittacosis but no history of past contact with birds. The Author concluded that “it appears desirable to search for a humanized strain (...) which is moderately contagious for man and which is transmitted from man to man by way of the upper respiratory route”. Smadel’s intuition remained “vox clamantis in deserto”.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Grayston JT, Kuo CC, Campbell LA, Wang SP (1989) Chlamydia pneumoniae sp. nov. for Chlamydia sp strain TWAR. Int J Syst Bacteriol 39: 88–90
Smadel JE (1943) Atypical pneumonia and psittacosis. J Clin Invest 22: 57–65
Saikku P, Wang SP, Kleemola M, Brander E et al (1985) An epidemic of mild pneumonia due to an unusual strain of Chlamydia psittaci. J Infect Dis 151: 832–839
Grayston JT, Kuo CC, Wang SP, Altman T (1986) A new Chlamydia psittaci, strain TWAR, isolated in acute respiratory tract infections. N Engl J Med 315: 161–168
Grayston JT, Campbell LA, Kuo CC et al (1990) A new respiratory tract pathogen: Chlamydia pneumoniae strain TWAR. J Infect Dis 161: 618–625
Marrie TJ (1993) Chlamydia pneumoniae. Thorax 48:1–4
Hahn DL, Dodge RW, Golubjatnikov R (1991) Association of Chlamydia pneumoniae (strain TWAR) infection with wheezing, asthmatic bronchitis, and adult-onset asthma. JAMA 266: 225–230
Allegra L, Blasi F, Centanni S, Cosentini R, Denti F, Raccanelli R et al (1994) Acute exacerbations of asthma in adults: role of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. Eur Respir J 7: 2165–2168
Marne TJ, Harczy M, Mann 0E, Landymore RW, Raza A, Wang SP, Grayston JT (1990) Culture negative endocarditis probably due to Chlamydia pneumoniae. J Infect Dis 161: 127–129
Persson K (1990) Epidemiological and clinical aspects on infections due to Chlamydia pneumoniae (strain TWAR). Scand J Infect Dis S69: 63–67
Saikku P, Leinonen M, Mattila K, Ekman MR, Nieminen MS, Makela PH et al (1988) Serological evidence of an association of a novel Chlamydia TWAR, with chronic coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction. Lancet ii: 983–986
Saikku P, Leinonen M, Tenkanen L, Linnanmaki E, Ekman MR, Manninen V et al (1992) Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection as a risk factor for coronary heart disease in the Helsinki Heart Study. Ann Intern Med 116: 273–278
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1995 Springer-Verlag Italia, Milano
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Allegra, L. (1995). History of a New Agent of Pneumonia. In: Allegra, L., Blasi, F. (eds) Chlamydia Pneumoniae Infection. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2201-0_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2201-0_1
Publisher Name: Springer, Milano
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-75007-9
Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2201-0
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive