Insights into chlamydial infection at the sub-cellular level using label-free Raman spectroscopy in comparison to electron microscopy.

ABSTRACT: Intracellular infections are difficult to study as the host cell protects the pathogen from direct observation from the outside. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is the most commonly used method for subcellular analysis. However, sample preparation is based on fixation which prevents continuous observation. Here, we focus on the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia abortus. It causes infections primarily in small ruminant livestock, and can also be transmitted to humans, where it can cause disease. Diagnosis is difficult, requiring PCR or cell culture. At the moment, non-invasive methods for the direct study of intracellular infections are rare and not yet established in routine analysis. In this study, we present 3D confocal Raman imaging as a non-invasive tool to investigate

SUBMITTER: Unger N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12743436 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature