Our data show: a) distinct functional requirements of EGFR versus PDGFR during C. trachomatis infection - we demonstrate that PDGFR is critical only at the step of bacterial attachment, and that knockdown of EGFR but not PDGFR impairs development of C. trachomatis inclusions within the host cell; b) infection with C. trachomatis increases phosphorylation of EGFR and of its downstream effectors PLCγ1, Akt and STAT5; c) C. Here, EGFR is linked to infection.