Light and electron microscopic study of Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the uterine cervix.

Cervical biopsy specimens from two patients with infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (TRIC agent) were studied by means of light and electron microscopy. Intraepithelial vesicles containing C. trachomatis were present in the cervical mucosa. These intramucosal vesicles were readily recognized in paraffin sections by means of light microscopy. The developmental stages of C. trachomatis, which have previously been seen in tissue cell culture, chicken embryo, and conjunctival infections, were also apparent in cervical infection.