Can Eating Raw Salmon Give You Chlamydia? What You Need To Know

You can find their work in the Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, the Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, the Department of Pathology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and the Department of Pathology at New York University Medical Center in New York, New York.

To learn more about the gram-negative bacteria that live inside cells of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), gills with growing sores were taken for histopathology, conventional transmission and immunoelectron microscopy, in situ hybridization, and DNA extraction during epitheliocystis outbreaks in Ireland and Norway in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Then, they were compared by ultrastructure and immunoreactivity to gills from Ireland that did not have any growths from 1995. Genomic DNA from proliferative gills was used to amplify 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) for molecular phylogenetic analyses. Epitheliocystis inclusions from proliferative gills had varyingly long reticulate bodies, examples of binary fission, and vacuolated and nonvacuolated intermediate bodies. Inclusions from nonproliferative gills, on the other hand, had normal chlamydial developmental stages plus unique head-and-tail cells. Immunogold processing using anti-chlamydial lipopolysaccharide antibody labeled reticulate bodies from proliferative and nonproliferative gills. Amplification of %2016S%20rDNA directly from Irish (1999) and Norwegian (2000) gill samples confirmed 99% nucleotide identity, and riboprobes were synthesized from cloned near-full-length %2016S%20rDNAamplicons from Norwegian gills hybridized with inclusions in proliferation-prone lesions from Irish (1999) and Norwegian (2000) sections. A consensus 16S rRNA gene sequence of 1,487 bases that encodes the chlamydia-like bacterium (CLB) from proliferating gills shared the most nucleotides with endosymbionts of Acanthamoeba spp. (order Chlamydiales). By using distance and parsimony to figure out molecular phylogenetic relationships between 16S rRNA gene sequences, we saw that the CLB from proliferating gills branched with Chlamydiales members. “Candidatus Piscichlamydia salmonis” is a name for the CLB found in epitheliocystis from Atlantic salmon gills that are proliferating. This type of gill shows different developmental stages than gills that are not proliferating.

Epitheliocystis has been linked to a lot of deaths and slower growth in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) (22). Ultrastructural studies of the epitheliocystis agent found in Atlantic salmon have shown that it is a gram-negative coccoid bacterium that lives inside cells and goes through the typical stages of development for bacteria in the order Chlamydiales (22). Epitheliocystis has been described in other salmonid hosts, e. g. juvenile steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (28) and cultured lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) (3). It has also been found in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) (16), striped bass (Morone saxatilis) (32), white perch (Morone americanus) (32), sea bream (Sparus aurata) (25), grey mullet (Liza ramada) (25), and cultured white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) (14) Morphological studies of epitheliocystis agents in sea bream (S. aurata) have provided evidence for two distinct chlamydia-like developmental cycles associated with proliferative and nonproliferative host reactions (5). Transmission electron microscopy studies of intracellular inclusions have shown that the epitheliocystis-causing agents in both salmonid and nonsalmonid hosts are gram-negative bacteria that develop in a way typical of Chlamydiales (5, 14, 22, 28, 32). However, it is still not known how genetically related these bacteria are to each other.

The phylogenetic relationships between Chlamydia species and chlamydia-like bacteria (CLB) have been changed by sequence data from the rRNA operon (7, 8, 9). Some people think that the best way to taxonomically group chlamydiae is to reclassify them based on 16S rRNA gene sequence identity, 16S and 23S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences, and phenotypic characterization. This method shows that species in the Chlamydiaceae family have 16S rRNA gene sequences that are g. , Simkania negevensis strain Z (19) and “Candidatus Parachlamydia acanthamoebae” (1).

Unlike morphologically similar chlamydia-like bacteria, such as S. negevensis strain Z (19) and endosymbionts of Acanthamoeba spp. (11), the agents of epitheliocystis from fish have never been successfully cultured in vitro to facilitate genetic studies. It is not possible to get antigen reactivity or 16S rDNA sequence data to help with the molecular characterization of a chlamydia-like bacterium from a salmonid host. We wanted to find out how the ultrastructures and immune responses of developmental stages of inclusions from proliferative and nonproliferative gill lesions of farmed Atlantic salmon were different. We also wanted to do molecular phylogenetic analyses of 16S rDNA sequence data generated directly from proliferative gill lesions.

Samples of gill from farmed Atlantic salmon (S. salar) were collected at different times by the staff of a multinational aquaculture company as part of its health surveillance program. This was done during times when there was a lot of death, which was confirmed to be epitheliocystis outbreaks by histopathologic analysis of gill sections. In 1999, two sets of gill arches from 20 Atlantic salmon were sent as combined samples from the same site in Ireland. In 2000, two sets of gill arches from 25 Atlantic salmon were sent as separate samples from the same site in Norway. One set of tissue samples from each site was fixed by immersion in formalin for histopathologic, electron microscopy, and in situ hybridization studies. A second set of tissues was put in 70% ethanol for the Irish samples or directly in tissue lysis buffer (ATL Buffer; QIAGEN Inc.). , Chatsworth, Calif. ) in the case of the Norwegian samples for DNA extraction and PCR studies. Also, paraffin- and resin-embedded gill samples from Atlantic salmon from Ireland that were collected in 1995 and processed for histopathology and transmission electron microscopy were obtained from the department’s archives.

Using formalin to fix gill samples, they were cut to fit plastic cassettes, put through the normal steps for paraffin embedding, sectioned at 4 μm, mounted on glass slides, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) as per standard histologic procedures (29). Light microscopy was used to look at tissue sections and find histopathologic lesions and epitheliocystis inclusions based on what had been described before (22).

Salmon is one of the most popular and nutritious fish consumed around the world. However, there has been some concern about whether eating raw or undercooked salmon can transmit infections like chlamydia to humans. In this article, we’ll explore whether salmon can actually give you chlamydia, the science behind this risk, and steps you can take to enjoy salmon safely

What is Chlamydia?

First, let’s start with a quick overview of what chlamydia is. Chlamydia is a common bacterial infection in humans that is spread through sexual contact. It is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It can infect both men and women and often has no symptoms. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious health complications like infertility.

Chlamydia bacteria can also infect some animals like sheep, cats, and birds Importantly, animal chlamydia strains are different from the human strain and are not known to be transmittable to humans.

Can You Get Chlamydia From Eating Raw Salmon?

Now for the important question: can you get chlamydia from eating salmon that is raw or barely cooked?

The short answer is no. Let me explain further.

There is a strain of chlamydia bacteria called Piscichlamydia salmonis that can infect salmon and other fish. However, this salmon chlamydia strain only infects fish and has never been shown to infect or cause disease in humans. s can only get chlamydia infections from the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria strain that is adapted to infecting human hosts. Eating fish infected with Piscichlamydia salmonis does not pose a risk of chlamydia infection to humans.

For this reason, even though salmon can get chlamydia, the salmon strain is genetically and biologically different from the human strain. It cannot be transmitted to humans through consuming infected fish.

How Do Salmon Get Infected With Chlamydia?

Chlamydia outbreaks frequently occur in farmed salmon populations. The Piscichlamydia salmonis bacteria is shed in infected salmon’s feces and can quickly spread through the water to other fish in that population. The infection primarily spreads through the water, but can also be transmitted by contaminated equipment.

In the wild, salmon mostly get infected from exposure to contaminated water as well. This water contamination allows the bacteria to be picked up by healthy salmon and spread through large populations.

Outbreaks of this salmon chlamydia infection can have detrimental effects on salmon, including higher mortality rates, especially in salmon farms where the disease can spread rapidly.

Other Health Risks of Eating Raw Salmon

Now that we’ve established you can’t get chlamydia from eating raw salmon, you may be wondering – is it safe to eat raw salmon at all?

While the chlamydia concern is unfounded, there are some other health risks to be aware of with raw salmon:

Parasites: Raw salmon can contain parasitic worms like nematodes or flatworms. If eaten, they can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans. Flash-freezing or cooking salmon can kill off any parasites.
Bacteria: Salmon can be contaminated with bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, Vibrio, and E. coli that can lead to foodborne illness. Cooking helps kill these pathogens.
Toxins: Raw salmon from polluted waters can contain heavy metal toxins like mercury. These toxins can build up in the body over time and are best avoided.
Allergies: Some people may be allergic to proteins found in raw salmon. Cooking generally denatures these allergy-causing proteins.

So if you choose to eat raw salmon, make sure to take steps to reduce your risk, like:

Purchase high-quality sashimi-grade salmon from a trusted seller
Check that raw salmon smells fresh – discard any fishy odors
Freeze salmon for 7+ days at -4°F to kill parasites
Avoid raw salmon if you are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised

Tips For Safe Salmon Consumption

Here are some other tips to safely enjoy salmon without worries about chlamydia or other risks:

Cook salmon thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F to kill any potential bacteria or parasites. Flake the fish with a fork to check it’s opaque throughout.
Avoid cross-contaminating other foods with juices from raw salmon. Keep raw and cooked salmon separate.
Purchase salmon from reputable sellers who follow food safety guidelines. Avoid fish from polluted waters.
Use safe storage practices, like promptly refrigerating perishable raw salmon. Salmon should be used within 2 days.
Wash hands and surfaces after handling raw salmon to prevent bacteria spread.

The Bottom Line

Can you get chlamydia from eating raw salmon? No, rest assured that while salmon can get their own salmon-specific chlamydia infection, they do not transmit chlamydia bacteria to humans.

However, raw salmon still carries a low risk of other foodborne illnesses if not handled properly. Following basic food safety practices like fully cooking salmon, avoiding cross-contamination, and only buying high-quality salmon can help you safely enjoy this nutritious fish.

So go ahead and reap the amazing health benefits of salmon without worrying about chlamydia! Just take care to cook it thoroughly and practice good hygiene when preparing raw salmon. With these simple precautions, salmon can be part of a tasty, nutritious and safe diet.

can salmon give you chlamydia

Transmission electron microscopy and immunogold labeling.

For conventional transmission electron microscopy, trimmed gill samples were further fixed in a mixture of 1. 25% formaldehyde, 2. 5% glutaraldehyde, 0. 03% CaCl2, and 0. 03% trinitrophenol in 0. 05 M cacodylate buffer, pH 7. 3 (18), and then postfixed in 1% OsO4 in 0. 1 M cacodylate buffer, stained en bloc with 1% uranyl acetate in 0. 1 M maleate buffer, dehydrated in ethanol, and embedded in Poly/Bed 812 (Polysciences, Warrington, Pa. ). For immunoelectron microscopy, trimmed samples were fixed in a mixture of 3% formaldehyde and 1% glutaraldehyde in 0. 1 M cacodylate buffer, pH 7. 2 (21); stained en bloc with 1% uranyl acetate in 0. 1 M maleate buffer; dehydrated in ethanol; and embedded in LR White (SPI Supplies, West Chester, Pa. ). A Reichert-Leica Ultracut S ultramicrotome was used to cut the sections very thinly. The sections were then put on copper grids that were not coated for regular transmission electron microscopy or nickel Formvar-carbon-coated grids for immunoelectron microscopy. There was a 60 kV electron microscope used to look at all the grids. They were first stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate.

In immunoelectron microscopy procedures, grids were treated with blocking buffer (0. 1% bovine serum albumin-0. 01 M glycine in 0. After being washed in blocking buffer (0.05 M Tris-buffered saline), the cells were incubated with the primary antibody for one hour at room temperature (RT) and then overnight at 4°C. The cells were then incubated with the secondary colloidal-gold-labeled antibody for one hour at RT. The primary antibody was commercial mouse anti-chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) monoclonal antibody (Chemicon International, Inc. , Temecula, Calif. ) diluted 1:100 in diluting buffer (0. 05 M Tris-buffered saline containing 1% bovine serum albumin). The second antibody was goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin G-immunoglobulin M (heavy plus light chains) that was marked with colloidal gold that was 10 nm in size (AuroProbe EM GAMIgG IgM G10, RPN 431; Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, N.J.). J. ) diluted 1:20 in diluting buffer. The test and control grids were both incubated in the same way, but the primary antibody was left out and diluting buffer was used instead.

In situ hybridization using riboprobes.

In situ hybridization was accomplished using riboprobes generated by in vitro transcription of the cloned ∼1. They used a dual promoter vector (pCRII TOPO Vector; Invitrogen Corp) and followed the steps outlined by Brown (4) to make a 5-kb 16S RNA gene sequence from gills that were infected with the CLB. ) and Sp6/T7 DIG RNA labeling kit (Roche Applied Science, Indianapolis, Ind. ). Plasmid inserts were confirmed and orientations were determined by DNA sequencing. The full-length 16S rRNA gene of Mycobacterium marinum was copied in the same way in a lab to serve as a probe sequence control. Transcribed riboprobe concentrations were assessed by dot blot analysis.

Riboprobes were used in nonisotopic in situ hybridization experiments based on procedures described by Gan et al. (13) and Brown (4). Atlantic salmon gill tissue that wasn’t infected and came from somewhere other than Ireland or Norway was used as the negative tissue control. We looked at HE-stained gill sections under a light microscope to see how many and where the inclusions were located. Then, 4 μm tissue sections were mounted on ProbeOn Plus glass slides (Fisher Scientific, Fairlawn, N.J.) without any staining. J. ). Unstained sections were heated to 70°C for 10 min, deparaffinized in three 3-min washes with xylene (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo. ), and rehydrated for 15 min at RT. Pieces were broken down with 20 ng of proteinase K/μl at 37°C for 15 minutes. They were then covered with prehybridization solution (5 SSC [1 SSC is 0]). 15 M NaCl plus 0. 015 M sodium citrate], 5% blocking reagent, 48% formamide, 0. 02% sodium dodecyl sulfate [SDS], 0. 1% N-lauroylsarcosine) for 1 h at 37°C. To denature the target DNA, the slides were heated to 95°C for 10 minutes. Then, about 100 μl of hybridization solution (35 ng of digoxigenin-labeled riboprobe per 100 μl of prehybridization solution) was put on each slide, along with a glass coverslip. The slides were left to hybridize overnight at 42°C in a humidified slide moat (Fisher Scientific). Following hybridization, the slides were washed in 2%C3%97%20SSC%20with%201%%20SDS%20at%2050%C2%B0C%20for%2020%20min, then in 1%C3%97%20SSC%20with%200 1% SDS at 50°C for 20 min and then 1× SSC for 10 min at RT and 0. 1× SSC for 15 min at RT. Hybridization signals were developed by washing sections in buffer I (0. 1 M Tris, 0. 15 M NaCl, pH 7. 5) for 5 minutes and then putting the sections in an incubator for 2 hours at 37°C in a humid room with buffer I containing 2% sheep serum and anti-digoxigenin Fab fragments conjugated to alkaline phosphatase at a dilution of 1:275 (Roche Applied Science). The slides received one 15-min wash in buffer I and then were washed twice in TBST (0. 15 M NaCl, 2. 7 mM KCl, 25 mM Tris, 0. 05% Tween 20, pH 7. 6) for 5 min. The signal was developed using the DAKO (Carpinteria, Calif. ) Fuchsin-Substrate System with levamasole; the slides were counterstained and coverslipped according to the instructions of the manufacturer.

How do you get chlamydia? Myths vs Facts!

FAQ

Can fish carry chlamydia?

Candidatus Piscichlamydia salmonis and Clavochlamydia salmonicola have recently been identified as aetiological agents of epitheliocystis in Atlantic Salmon. In addition, several other members of the Chlamydiales order have been identified in other fish species.

Is salmon linked to chlamydia?

Ultrastructural studies of the epitheliocystis agent found in Atlantic salmon have revealed it to be an intracellular gram-negative coccoid bacterium with distinct developmental stages typical of bacteria of the order Chlamydiales (22).

Can you get chlamydia from something?

The bacteria are usually spread through sex or contact with infected genital fluids (semen or vaginal fluid). You can get chlamydia through: unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. sharing sex toys that are not washed or covered with a new condom each time they’re used.

Can chlamydia live on food?

Chlamydia isn’t spread through casual contact, so you CAN’T get chlamydia from sharing food or drinks, kissing, hugging, holding hands, coughing, sneezing, or sitting on the toilet. Using condoms and/or dental dams every time you have sex is the best way to help prevent chlamydia.

How can I avoid getting Chlamydia?

The only way to avoid getting chlamydia is to abstain from having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has a chlamydia infection. And be sure that sex toys that carry the bacteria don’t come in contact with your genitals.

Is salmon fish bad for asthma?

Salmon is one of the foods richest in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil have the ability to decrease the production of IgE, used in allergic reactions and asthma symptoms in people with mild asthma. Therefore, its intake is recommended for asthmatic people.

How does Chlamydia affect sperm?

Epididymitis. Infection can spread to the testicles and the tube that carries sperm to your testicles (epididymis), causing symptoms like pain, swelling and tenderness in your testicles. Reduced fertility. Chlamydia can harm your sperm, negatively impacting your ability to conceive. Untreated chlamydia can spread to your bloodstream, which:

Can you pass Chlamydia through a mother?

It is not possible to pass on chlamydia through: According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a mother who has chlamydia infection can pass it on to her baby during childbirth. Sometimes, the infection leads to complications for the infant, such as eye infections or pneumonia.

How can a person pass on Chlamydia?

A person can pass on chlamydia through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex or through genital contact. As chlamydial infection often has no symptoms, a person may have the infection and pass it on to a sexual partner without knowing. It is not possible to pass on chlamydia through:

Can you get Chlamydia if you’re pregnant?

Also, if you’re pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass the infection on to your newborn. Babies born with chlamydia may have pneumonia or conjunctivitis that could lead to blindness if not treated. If you’re pregnant, you should receive testing for chlamydia at your first prenatal appointment. Infertility.