Publication

Abstract : Purpose: Chlamydia trachomatis are one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections. Limited data is available on typing of C. trachomatis in India. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis in patients with urogenital infections and to characterize C. trachomatis strains by PCR-RFLP and ompA gene sequencing. Prevalence of other etiological agents of STI (viz., Ureaplasma spp, Mycoplasma hominis and M. genitalium) were also assessed. Methods & Materials: Endocervical swabs were collected from 324 women and urethral swabs and urine samples were collected from 193 men attending the STD clinic. The samples were screened for C.trachomatis by cryptic plasmid PCR, ompA gene and nested ompA gene PCR. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP and sequencing. Samples were screened for genital mycoplasmas by culture and PCR. Results: The prevalence of C. trachomatis in men and women were 15.0% and 10.8% respectively. Serovar D, was the most prevalent followed by serovar E, F, I and G. Serovar G was detected for the first time from India. Twenty-two C. trachomatis strains were selected for ompA gene sequencing. Neither variants nor mixed infection were picked. Both PCR-RFLP and ompA gene sequencing shows concordant results. Co-infection of C. trachomatis was significantly associated with U. urealyticum and HIV. Conclusion: Patients infected with C. trachomatis have significant risk of being infected with U.urealyticum and HIV, suggesting screening of C. trachomatis alongwith other STIs. Further, genotyping studies are required to understand the geographical distribution and introduction of new serovar in the community.