Chlamydia felis (formerly Chlamydophila felis) (C. felis)

Chlamydia felis (formerly Chlamydophila felis) is a Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that primarily infects cats, causing conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and respiratory disease. It is transmitted via close contact, especially through ocular secretions. The bacterium has two distinct morphological forms: the infectious elementary body (EB) and the replicative reticulate body (RB). Diagnosis is best achieved by PCR on conjunctival or oropharyngeal swabs. Treatment typically involves systemic antibiotics, with doxycycline as the first-line choice for at least four weeks. The organism does not survive well outside the host and is sensitive to common disinfectants. It is considered a therapeutic target for antimicrobial therapy in feline medicine. While historically classified in the genus Chlamydophila, modern taxonomy places it in the genus Chlamydia[1][5][7].

Other names

Chlamydophila felisChlamydophila psittaci (occasional misclassification; not a recommended alias for this target[7])

Inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis (doxycycline, tetracyclines), Inhibition of DNA gyrase (fluoroquinolones)[2][5]