The chlamydiae are a group of bacteria that are obligate intracellular organisms of
eukaryotic cells." There are three separate species in the Chlamydia genus: C. psittaci, C.
pneumoniae (previously known as TWAR), and C. trachomatis." They are surrounded by a
cell wall and contain both DNA and RNA. Because these bacteria cannot synthesize
adenosine-triphosphate, they must rely on their host cells for energy and, therefore, are
unable to reproduce extracellularly." Unlike most bacteria, the chlamydiae have a unique …