Purpose: The antimicrobial activity of N-chlorotaurine (NCT), an endogenous long-lived oxidant applied topically, was tested against Chlamydiae in vitro.
Methodology: Elementary bodies of Chlamydia pneumoniae strain CV-6 and Chlamydia trachomatis serovars A and D were incubated in 0.01, 0.1 and 1 % (w/v) NCT solution at pH 7.1 and 37 °C. After different incubation times, aliquots were removed and grown in cell culture. The number of inclusion forming units was quantified by immunofluorescence and real-time qPCR.Results/Key findings.Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis were inactivated by 1 and 0.1 % NCT within 1 min. Moreover, 0.025-0.1 % NCT significantly reduced the number of intracellularly growing C. pneumoniae within 30 min.
Conclusions: This is the first study demonstrating the antimicrobial activity of NCT against Chlamydiae. Clinical implications of these findings have to be investigated in further trials.
Keywords: N-chlorotaurine; antiseptic; chlamydia; chloramines; oxidant.