The epidemiology and significance of Chlamydia pneumoniae

Chlamydia pneumoniae has recently been found to be a new chlamydial species transmitted directly from man to man, obviously through the respiratory tract. It is the commonest chlamydia of mankind but fortunately the overwhelming majority of infections are mild, it has been estimated that 10% of all pneumonias are caused by this species. Since the most important chlamydial infections are chronic in nature, the question of possible chronic C. pneumoniae infections is of paramount importance. Apart from being associated with chronic inflammatory processes of the respiratory system, a quite unexpected connection to coronary heart disease has now been suggested.