Nanoparticles for imaging and treating chlamydial infection
Compositions of nanoparticles and targeting moieties for imaging and treating Chlamydial infection are provided, including nanoparticles conjugated to folic acid and comprising at least one antibiotic effective against Chlamydia.
1. A method of treating a persistent intracellular Chlamydia bacterial infection in a patient in need of such treatment, comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of folic acid-conjugated nanoparticles comprising at least one antibiotic agent, wherein said antibiotic agent is effective against said persistent intracellular Chlamydia bacterial infection and wherein at the time of treatment, Chlamydia of said infection lack ftsK transcription or lack ftsK and ftsW transcription.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of azithromycin, amoxicillin, rifampicin, erythromycin, erythromycin ethylsuccinate, ofloxacin, levofloxacin doxycycline, and tetracycline.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said nanoparticles comprise a biodegradable polymer, one or more antibiotics, an imaging agent and folic acid attached to nanoparticles through a spacer.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said spacer is PEG.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said Chlamydia is selected from the group consisting of C. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae , and C. psittaci.
6. A method for inhibiting the growth of C. pneumonia or C. trachomatis causing a persistent intracellular Chlamydia infection comprising contacting said C. pneumonia or C. trachomatis , or a cell containing said C. pneumonia or C. trachomatis , with a composition comprising nanoparticles conjugated with folic acid, wherein said particles comprise a first antibiotic in a form and in a dosage suitable for treatment of a persistent intracellular Chlamydia infection wherein Chlamydia of said infection lack ftsK transcription or lack ftsK and ftsW transcription at the time the composition is administered.
7. A method of imaging Chlamydia infection in a mammal having a persistent intracellular Chlamydia infection, comprising
a) administering to said mammal a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising folic acid and at least one imaging agent, and
b) detecting said nanoparticles in said mammal, wherein said particles target folic acid receptor-expressing cells infected with a persistent intracellular Chlamydia infection wherein Chlamydia of said infection lack ftsK transcription or lack ftsK and ftsW transcription.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said nanoparticles are fluorescently labeled.