Related Experiment Videos
Genotyping of Chlamydia trachomatis would improve contact tracing
Lars Falk1, Margret Lindberg, Margaretha Jurstrand
1Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. lars.falk@orebroll.se
Background:
The reported number of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infections has increased 15% annually since 1997 in Sweden. Inaccurate partner notification might be one reason.
Goal:
The goals were to determine if genotyping of C trachomatis would improve partner notification and to study the duration of infection.
Study Design:
Sexual networks were constructed. C trachomatis isolates from 231 individuals attending the Orebro STD clinic during 1 year were typed by sequencing of the omp1 gene.
Results:
All individuals were traced and diagnoses were established in 30 of 161 networks. More than one genotype was seen in seven networks. The mean duration of C trachomatis infection in each network was calculated to be 23 weeks.
Conclusion:
Genotyping could be a useful tool in partner notification when there are discrepant or uncommon genotypes. Limited clinic catchment areas create information difficulties that obstruct accurate contact tracing.