Chlamydia trachomatis genotypes A and B from urogenital specimens of patients in Spain: molecular characterization. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Piñeiro, L.; Isaksson, J.; Zapico, M.; Cilla, G.; Herrmann, B.
• Is Part Of: Clinical microbiology and infection. Volume 24:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 910.e5
• Page End: 910.e8
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Chlamydia trachomatis -- Multilocus sequence typing -- ompA genotypes A and B -- Organotropic genes -- Urogenital samples; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Diagnostic microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.01.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1198-743X

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Chlamydia trachomatis ompA genotypes A and B, primarily associated with trachoma, were unexpectedly detected in urogenital samples of patients in Spain, a trachoma-free country. In this study, we aimed to explain this finding using analysis of organotropism-related genes and a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) technique. Methods: C. trachomatis genotypes A or B were detected in 8/930 (0.9%) infection episodes between 2006 and 2012. In these strains, organotropism-related genes (polymorphic membrane protein gene H, tryptophan synthase gene A, CTA0934, and cytotoxin) were studied. Further, the strains were analysed by MLST, using a polymerase chain reaction that amplifies five highly variable genomic loci ( hctB, CT058, CT144, CT172, and pbpB ). Amplicons were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was conducted. Results: Seven strains were detected in the eight infection episodes (in one patient, an identical strain being found in two episodes). Analysis of organotropism-related genes showed that these strains shared genetic features characteristic of genitotropic genotypes but not of trachoma strains. Three strains of genotype A showed a unique and new MLST-sequence type (ST551, allele profile 8-8-2-27-69). The four strains of genotype B belonged to ST138. Conclusions: C. trachomatis ompA genotypes A and B associated with trachoma, but detected sporadically in urogenital samples in trachoma-free countries, may be the result of recombination between strains adapted to trachoma and strains adapted to sexual transmission.