RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Wang, Guqi A1 Burczynski, Frank A1 Hasinoff, Brian A1 Zhong, GuangmingYR 2002 T1 Infection of myocytes with chlamydiae JF Microbiology, VO 148 IS 12 SP 3955 OP 3959 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-148-12-3955 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2080, AB Chlamydial infection has been associated with myocarditis in animals and humans. However, the mechanism resulting in myocarditis following infection is not known. Here, evidence is presented that both Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae can infect and replicate in myocytes isolated from neonate rats. The infected myocytes contained chlamydial inclusions, indicative of chlamydial growth, and infectious particles were recovered from the infected myocytes. It was also found that chlamydial infection at a late stage induced significant damage to the infected myocytes, as evidenced by an increased lactate dehydrogenase release, reactive oxygen species production and a reduced ATP level. However, no nuclear apoptosis was detected in the infected myocytes. Collectively, these observations have demonstrated that Chlamydia spp. are able to both infect and damage myocytes, suggesting a potential role of chlamydial infection in myocarditis., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-148-12-3955