Distribution Study ofChlamydia trachomatisSerovars among High-Risk Women in China Performed Using PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Genotyping

Abstract

This was one of the first epidemiological studies in China focused on genital Chlamydia trachomatis serotype distribution in high-risk female populations using omp1 gene-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. One thousand seven hundred seventy cervical swab samples from women attending sexually transmitted disease clinics and female sex workers in six cities in China (Shenzhen and Guangzhou in southern China, Nanjing and Shanghai in eastern China, and Nanning and Chengdu in southwestern China) were subjected to serovar genotyping. The proportion of omp1 genes successfully amplified in 240 C. trachomatis plasmid-positive samples was 94.2% (226/240). Serotypes E (n ‫؍‬ 63; 27.9%), F (n ‫؍‬ 53; 23.5%), G (n ‫؍‬ 28; 12.4%), and D (n ‫؍‬ 25; 11.1%) were most prevalent. Though there was no significant difference in the geographic distribution of C. trachomatis, serotype E was predominant in the South (32.1%) and East (27.1%), while serotype F was predominant in the Southwest (28.3%). Serotype F infection was associated with young age and single status. Serovar G was associated with lower abdominal pain; 47.5% of asymptomatic patients were infected with serovar E. These results provide information on distribution of genital C. trachomatis serotypes among high-risk women in China and indicate that high-risk women, including those who are asymptomatic, can be infected with multiple serovars of C. trachomatis, revealing exposure to multiple sources of infection. Although the scope for generalizations is limited by our small sample size, our results showing clinical correlations with genotypes are informative.

Molecular Epidemiology of Genital <i>Chlamydia </i><i>T</i><i>rachomatis</i> Infection in Asymptomatic Adolescent-Young People

“…Other studies have demonstrated frequencies of genotype E similar to ours in asymptomatic subjects [24][25]. Even among High-Risk Women in China, serovar E was associated with asymptomatic infection [26]. In Buenos Aires city, Argentina, Gallo Vaullet et al have confirmed an increased frequency of genotype E in neonatal ocular samples and genital adult samples [27].…”

Human and Pathogen Factors Associated with Chlamydia trachomatis-Related Infertility in Women

“…Serovars E and F are generally found to be predominant in most countries, including Australia, Netherlands, and Sweden (28)(29)(30)(31)(32). Using omp1 PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping, Lan et al (33) reported that in women Ͻ30 years old, serovars D (4/21 asymptomatic women) and I (4/21 asymptomatic women) were associated with asymptomatic infection, while serovar G was associated with symptomatic infection (4/30 symptomatic cases).…”

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by Immunological and Genetic Methods in Female Sex Workers and the Local Female Population of Reproductive Age in Mymensingh, Bangladesh

“…circulating within a given community but also sheds light on their global epidemiology, which may assist in developing strategies for improved STD control (14). An immunochromatography test (ICT) that includes monoclonal antibodies to detect lipopolysaccharide antigens extracted from C. trachomatis isolates can be used as a screening test because of its high sensitivity (94z) and specificity (99z) (15).…”