Can the Swedish new variant of Chlamydia trachomatis (nvCT) be detected by UK NEQAS participants from seventeen European countries and five additional countries/regions in 2009?

Abstract

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The Swedish new variant of Chlamydia trachomatis: genome sequence, morphology, cell tropism and phenotypic characterization

“…after 'catch-up' of the previously missed nvCT-positive cases in early 2007 (Velicko et al, 2007), followed a similar trend to that observed from the mid-1990s (Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control, 2009), and the proportion of the nvCT strain compared with wtCT has now started to decline after the selective diagnostic advantage for nvCT was removed (Klint et al, 2009). Single cases of nvCT have been described in a few countries beyond Scandinavia; these include Ireland, France and Scotland (de Barbeyrac et al, 2007;Health Protection Agency, 2008;Herrmann et al, 2008;Lynagh et al, 2007;Unemo et al, 2009). However, current knowledge on the presence and prevalence of nvCT beyond Sweden is limited due to the small number of recent studies and the fact that many laboratories in European countries still cannot detect the nvCT (Reischl et al, 2009;Unemo et al, 2009).…”

“…Single cases of nvCT have been described in a few countries beyond Scandinavia; these include Ireland, France and Scotland (de Barbeyrac et al, 2007;Health Protection Agency, 2008;Herrmann et al, 2008;Lynagh et al, 2007;Unemo et al, 2009). However, current knowledge on the presence and prevalence of nvCT beyond Sweden is limited due to the small number of recent studies and the fact that many laboratories in European countries still cannot detect the nvCT (Reischl et al, 2009;Unemo et al, 2009). Furthermore, the commercial NAATs that can detect nvCT do not allow its discrimination from wtCT, and nvCT-discriminatory in-house NAATs are rarely used.…”

First Reported Case of the Swedish New Variant of Chlamydia trachomatis (nvCT) in Eastern Europe (Russia), and Evaluation of Russian Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests Regarding Their Ability to Detect nvCT

“…Since nvCT has unaltered biological fitness compared with v^CT (7), it might be expected to reach equilibrium with wtCT and to fiirther spread to other countries (5, 7). Nevertheless, knowledge regarding the spread of nvCT is limited due to the low number of recent studies and because a substantial number of laboratories are still not able to identify nvCT (5,10,11).…”

“…Accordingly, laboratories using NAATs that do not detect nvCT should carefully monitor and analyse the C. trachomatis incidence and related epidemiological data, and ideally consider replacing their testing system for a NAAT detecting both nvCT and wtCT (5,7,10,11). Furthermore, regular national and intemational surveillance, frequent participation in appropriate external quality assessment scheme(s), assessment of diagnostic methods in use for their ability to detect nvCT, and regular review and evaluation of C. trachomatis diagnostic guidelines are crucial.…”

Absence of Swedish New Variant Chlamydia trachomatis (nvCT) and C. trachomatis Genotype Distribution in Gipuzkoa, Spain, 2009–2010

“…Although the nvCT has been detected in Norway, Finland and Denmark (5)(6)(7), only a few cases of nvCT have been reported outside the Nordic countries (5,6,8,9). Knowledge of nvCT presence and spread in many countries, especially those in southern Europe, remains limited, since only a few studies have been reported (5,10,11). No screening for nvCT has been performed previously in Spain, despite the fact that more than one million people fi'om Sweden (and numerous others fi-om the other Nordic countries) travel to Spain each year.…”