Isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis and membrane vesicles derived from host and bacteria

► Large scale L929 cell suspension cultures are infected with C. trachomatis strain F. ► Persistent forms and other C. trachomatis forms are purified from the host cell. ► Persistent forms transport ATP and likely rely upon host ATP as an energy source. ► C. trachomatis and host vesicles are purified and vesicles containing LPS are enriched. ► C. trachomatis vesicles contain bacterial membrane markers and putative virulence factors.