The study aimed to elucidate the role of Chlamydia trachomatis effectors in manipulating the host autography to clarify the pathogenesis of intracellular chlamydia infections.  This proposed study aims to provide in-depth insight into the function of Rab39a GTPase that binds Caspase-1 in the inflammasome. In so doing, the projected study intends to broaden knowledge about molecular mechanisms that drives autography to target bacteria. The objectives of the research included: Critically examination of the role of Rab39a GTPase in Chlamydia trachomatis infectivity; and Extensive exploration of the molecular mechanisms in autography in relation to Chlamydia trachomatis in eukaryotic host cells.

Study Findings

The study findings indicate that the host cells’ Rab GTPases are widely involved in Chlamydia trachomatis infectivity. As shown by Hutagalung and Novick (2011), Seto et al. (2013), and Skipp et al. (2016), part of the Chlamydia trachomatis infectivity involves taking advantage of the cellular transport mechanism for survival and protection against the phagocytic mechanism in the body. Through interaction and modulation of the intracellular trafficking, Chlamydia trachomatis acquires the required nutrients from the host membrane. Rab GTPases such as Rab39a are small binding proteins that are activel in vesicle budding, docking, transport, and fusion (Seto et al. 2013).

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a gram-negative bacterium (Chandra 2017). The bacteria attack the body by infecting the epithelium of the urethra, cervix, and rectum. According to Lydyard et al. (2009), the bacteria can also attack non-genital sites, including the eyes and the lungs. Infection can also occur perinatally from untreated mother to the baby, especially during birth, and often leads to conjunctivitis and pneumonia.

The infection’s highest incidence rate occurs in young women aged between 15 and 19 (Rous and Hammerschlag 2018). The burden is high among young asymptomatic women (Svigals et al. 2020). The study also suggests that infections among men are also being very high. Moazenchi et al. (2017) note that infections in men can lead to prostatitis, urethritis, epididymitis, reactive arthritis and proctitis.

Additionally, the study suggests that the coexistence of both Chlamydial infections and gonococcal infections is possible, and therefore, co-treatment should be is an option (Moazenchi et al. 2017). If left untreated, chlamydia infections usually lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and fallopian tube infections in 10-15% of women (CDC 2019). Consequently, damage to the uterus and the fallopian tube can lead to infertility (CDC 2019).