Effect of Chlamydia trachomatis infection on ciliary activity in single cells from cultures of human nasal polyps

We have tested the hypothesis that the ciliary activity of epithelial cells from human nasal polyps is altered after infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. Ciliated epithelial cells from human nasal polyps were cultured and infected with C. trachomatis. The measurement of ciliary beating was based on a technique which enables one to monitor a fraction of a single ciliated cell. A marked decrease of ciliary beating frequency versus time was observed 24 h after infection with C. trachomatis. About 50% of the cilia of infected cells were paralysed 48 h post-infection. The potential effect of C. trachomatis infection on the physiological functions dependent on cilia is discussed.