Microbotryum violaceum infection of Silene latifolia

Microbotryum violaceum is a host-specific anther smut (fungus) disease that infects Silene latifolia and sterilizes the host plant.

In females, the infection can subdue the development of the reproductive organs, styles and ovaries, resulting in complete sterilization.

So females hold onto the flowers with the intention to develop fruits carrying seeds with the purpose of creating offspring.

They can create detrimental effects on a species’ population size because, although the organism does not immediately die, it cannot reproduce for the next generation.

N. guyanese can shorten the lifespan or reduce flight ability and fecundity in its adult host, thus acting as a sexually transmitted parasitic infection.

Due to this complication, along with female infertility, the main focus of research and screening strategies for chlamydia is women.