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[Distribution of serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis isolates in Japan]
T Hagiwara1, S Shiga, T Kojima
1Central Virus Diagnostic Laboratory, National Institute of Health.
Abstract:
To study the serovar distribution of C. trachomatis in Japan, a total of 85 genital C. trachomatis isolates from male and female patients attending the clinics were examined by the microimmunofluorescence test using immune sera of the isolates produced in mice. Of these isolates, 34 (40.0%) were typed D or E, and 19 (22.4%) were typed G or F. The serovars of the remaining 32 isolates were B, H, I, J, and K, and the proportions of these serovars were from 8.2 to 3.5%. Thus, two thirds of C. trachomatis isolates in this country were found to fall into only four serovars, namely, D, E, G, and F, and, therefore, the epidemiology of C. trachomatis infection in Japan seems to be similar to that of other countries in North America and Europe. The relative distribution of serovars of C. trachomatis isolates from male patients and female patients somewhat differed. Serovars D, E, and G, F were isolated in the same ratio from male patients, while the isolation ratio of the former serovars was three times or more higher than the latter serovars in female patients. No isolate typed serovar K was found in male patients, while 15% of isolates from female patients were typed this serovar.
Insights
The study identified the most common Chlamydia trachomatis serovars in Japan, finding D, E, G, and F serovars comprise two-thirds of genital infections. This distribution mirrors patterns seen in North America and Europe.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is a leading cause of sexually transmitted infections globally.
- Understanding serovar distribution is crucial for effective diagnostics, treatment, and prevention strategies.
- Genital C. trachomatis infections in Japan have not been extensively characterized regarding serovar prevalence.
Purpose:
- To determine the serovar distribution of genital Chlamydia trachomatis isolates in Japan.
- To compare the serovar prevalence between male and female patients.
- To assess the epidemiological similarity of C. trachomatis infections in Japan to other global regions.
Summary:
- A total of 85 genital C. trachomatis isolates from Japanese patients were analyzed using microimmunofluorescence testing.
- Serovars D and E accounted for 40.0% of isolates, while G and F represented 22.4%.
- The most prevalent serovars (D, E, G, F) constituted two-thirds of all isolates, with variations observed between male and female patients, notably the absence of serovar K in males.
Impact:
- The findings suggest that C. trachomatis epidemiology in Japan is similar to that in North America and Europe.
- Identifies key serovars for potential targeted surveillance and diagnostic development in Japan.
- Highlights differences in serovar distribution between sexes, informing gender-specific public health approaches.