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Forward Genetic Approaches in Chlamydia trachomatis
09:03

Forward Genetic Approaches in Chlamydia trachomatis

Published on: October 23, 2013

Epidemiology and clinical manifestations of unique Chlamydia trachomatis isolates that occupy nonfusogenic inclusions

W M Geisler1, R J Suchland, D D Rockey

  • 1Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, Washington, USA. wes@u.washington.edu

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|August 31, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Unique Chlamydia trachomatis strains with nonfusing inclusions cause milder infections. These strains result in fewer signs and symptoms, highlighting the need for screening to detect these subclinical infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Unique Chlamydia trachomatis strains with multiple nonfusing inclusions have been identified.
  • These strains are characterized by the absence of IncA protein and mutations in the incA gene.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of infections caused by nonfusing C. trachomatis mutant strains.
  • To compare these manifestations with those of infections caused by wild-type fusing strains.

Main Methods:

  • Epidemiological and clinical data were collected from patients infected with nonfusing mutant strains (case patients).
  • Data from case patients were compared with those from control subjects infected with wild-type fusing strains.

Main Results:

  • Both male and female case patients exhibited fewer signs of infection compared to control subjects (P=.016 and P=.019).
  • Female case patients reported fewer symptoms (P=.02).
  • Median inclusion-forming unit (ifu) counts were lower in case patients (P=.045 for males, P=.135 for females).

Conclusions:

  • Nonfusing C. trachomatis strains are more likely to cause subclinical infections than wild-type strains.
  • These strains are associated with lower median ifu counts.
  • The findings emphasize the importance of screening programs for detecting and treating inapparent C. trachomatis infections.

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