Ascension of Chlamydia is moderated by uterine peristalsis and the neutrophil response to infection

Callan, T; Woodcock, S; Huston, WM

Ascension of Chlamydia is moderated by uterine peristalsis and the neutrophil response to infection

Callan, T Woodcock, S

Huston, WM

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Publisher:: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: PLOS Computational Biology, 17, (9), pp. e1009365-e1009365

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Callan, T
dc.contributor.author	Woodcock, S https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4903-3164
dc.contributor.author	Huston, WM
dc.date.accessioned	2021-09-08T08:48:30Z
dc.date.available	2021-09-08T08:48:30Z
dc.identifier.citation	PLOS Computational Biology, 17, (9), pp. e1009365-e1009365
dc.identifier.issn	1553-7358
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150401
dc.description.abstract	<jats:p><jats:italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</jats:italic> is a common sexually transmitted infection that is associated with a range of serious reproductive tract sequelae including in women Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), tubal factor infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. Ascension of the pathogen beyond the cervix and into the upper reproductive tract is thought to be necessary for these pathologies. However, <jats:italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</jats:italic> does not encode a mechanism for movement on its genome, and so the processes that facilitate ascension have not been elucidated. Here, we evaluate the factors that may influence chlamydial ascension in women. We constructed a mathematical model based on a set of stochastic dynamics to elucidate the moderating factors that might influence ascension of infections in the first month of an infection. In the simulations conducted from the stochastic model, 36% of infections ascended, but only 9% had more than 1000 bacteria ascend. The results of the simulations indicated that infectious load and the peristaltic contractions moderate ascension and are inter-related in impact. Smaller initial loads were much more likely to ascend. Ascension was found to be dependent on the neutrophil response. Overall, our results indicate that infectious load, menstrual cycle timing, and the neutrophil response are critical factors in chlamydial ascension in women.</jats:p>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Public Library of Science (PLoS)
dc.relation.ispartof	PLOS Computational Biology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009365
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	01 Mathematical Sciences, 06 Biological Sciences, 08 Information and Computing Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Bioinformatics
dc.title	Ascension of Chlamydia is moderated by uterine peristalsis and the neutrophil response to infection
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	17
utslib.for	01 Mathematical Sciences
utslib.for	06 Biological Sciences
utslib.for	08 Information and Computing Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-09-08T08:48:28Z
pubs.issue	9
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	17
utslib.citation.issue	9

Abstract:

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted infection that is associated with a range of serious reproductive tract sequelae including in women Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), tubal factor infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. Ascension of the pathogen beyond the cervix and into the upper reproductive tract is thought to be necessary for these pathologies. However, Chlamydia trachomatis does not encode a mechanism for movement on its genome, and so the processes that facilitate ascension have not been elucidated. Here, we evaluate the factors that may influence chlamydial ascension in women. We constructed a mathematical model based on a set of stochastic dynamics to elucidate the moderating factors that might influence ascension of infections in the first month of an infection. In the simulations conducted from the stochastic model, 36% of infections ascended, but only 9% had more than 1000 bacteria ascend. The results of the simulations indicated that infectious load and the peristaltic contractions moderate ascension and are inter-related in impact. Smaller initial loads were much more likely to ascend. Ascension was found to be dependent on the neutrophil response. Overall, our results indicate that infectious load, menstrual cycle timing, and the neutrophil response are critical factors in chlamydial ascension in women.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150401