A review of zoonotic chlamydiae species in Africa: assessing their burden and potential impact through One Health perspective
Abstract Chlamydia species, a group of obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria, affect humans, livestock, companion animals, and wildlife, with infections ranging from asymptomatic to severe depending on host species and strain. Diagnosis can be difficult due to mild lesions or co-infections....
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | One Health Outlook |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-025-00165-5 |
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| author | Aarman Sohaili Felix Mogaka Daisy Vanrompay Victor Ocholla Omollo Servaas A. Morre Pierre P.M. Thomas |
| author_facet | Aarman Sohaili Felix Mogaka Daisy Vanrompay Victor Ocholla Omollo Servaas A. Morre Pierre P.M. Thomas |
| author_sort | Aarman Sohaili |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Chlamydia species, a group of obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria, affect humans, livestock, companion animals, and wildlife, with infections ranging from asymptomatic to severe depending on host species and strain. Diagnosis can be difficult due to mild lesions or co-infections. Because Chlamydiaceae infect multiple hosts, a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health is essential for effective control and prevention. C. trachomatis remains endemic in many regions, while Chlamydia pneumoniae is implicated in community-acquired pneumonia. C. abortus threatens livestock and people in pastoralist communities. Other species, including C. caviae, C. felis, C. muridarum, C. pecorum, and C. psittaci, cause high morbidity in animals, and many are zoonotic, posing risks to humans through cross-species transmission. Closely related Chlamydia-like bacteria also pose emerging threats in both human and animal populations. In Africa, diverse ecosystems facilitate frequent cross-species contacts that can drive disease emergence. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and widespread poverty increase transmission, while political instability and food insecurity reduce public health responses. As the continent faces a disproportionate burden of emerging and re-emerging infections, strengthening surveillance and targeted interventions is crucial. This review examines current knowledge on the transmission dynamics and public health implications of Chlamydiaceae species in African settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-115e2a59d12f461d8a2ed71c5fa440fc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2524-4655 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | One Health Outlook |
| spelling | doaj-art-115e2a59d12f461d8a2ed71c5fa440fc2025-08-24T11:49:53ZengBMCOne Health Outlook2524-46552025-08-017111610.1186/s42522-025-00165-5A review of zoonotic chlamydiae species in Africa: assessing their burden and potential impact through One Health perspectiveAarman Sohaili0Felix Mogaka1Daisy Vanrompay2Victor Ocholla Omollo3Servaas A. Morre4Pierre P.M. Thomas5Institute of Public Health Genomics, Genetics and Cell Biology Cluster, GROW Research institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht UniversityCentre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research InstituteLaboratory of immunology and animal biotechnology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent UniversityCentre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research InstituteInstitute of Public Health Genomics, Genetics and Cell Biology Cluster, GROW Research institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht UniversityInstitute of Public Health Genomics, Genetics and Cell Biology Cluster, GROW Research institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht UniversityAbstract Chlamydia species, a group of obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria, affect humans, livestock, companion animals, and wildlife, with infections ranging from asymptomatic to severe depending on host species and strain. Diagnosis can be difficult due to mild lesions or co-infections. Because Chlamydiaceae infect multiple hosts, a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health is essential for effective control and prevention. C. trachomatis remains endemic in many regions, while Chlamydia pneumoniae is implicated in community-acquired pneumonia. C. abortus threatens livestock and people in pastoralist communities. Other species, including C. caviae, C. felis, C. muridarum, C. pecorum, and C. psittaci, cause high morbidity in animals, and many are zoonotic, posing risks to humans through cross-species transmission. Closely related Chlamydia-like bacteria also pose emerging threats in both human and animal populations. In Africa, diverse ecosystems facilitate frequent cross-species contacts that can drive disease emergence. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and widespread poverty increase transmission, while political instability and food insecurity reduce public health responses. As the continent faces a disproportionate burden of emerging and re-emerging infections, strengthening surveillance and targeted interventions is crucial. This review examines current knowledge on the transmission dynamics and public health implications of Chlamydiaceae species in African settings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-025-00165-5ChlamydiaeAfricaZoonosis & One-Health |
| spellingShingle | Aarman Sohaili Felix Mogaka Daisy Vanrompay Victor Ocholla Omollo Servaas A. Morre Pierre P.M. Thomas A review of zoonotic chlamydiae species in Africa: assessing their burden and potential impact through One Health perspective One Health Outlook Chlamydiae Africa Zoonosis & One-Health |
| title | A review of zoonotic chlamydiae species in Africa: assessing their burden and potential impact through One Health perspective |
| title_full | A review of zoonotic chlamydiae species in Africa: assessing their burden and potential impact through One Health perspective |
| title_fullStr | A review of zoonotic chlamydiae species in Africa: assessing their burden and potential impact through One Health perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | A review of zoonotic chlamydiae species in Africa: assessing their burden and potential impact through One Health perspective |
| title_short | A review of zoonotic chlamydiae species in Africa: assessing their burden and potential impact through One Health perspective |
| title_sort | review of zoonotic chlamydiae species in africa assessing their burden and potential impact through one health perspective |
| topic | Chlamydiae Africa Zoonosis & One-Health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-025-00165-5 |
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