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Published on: July 14, 2023
Multilocus sequence typing of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum in Barcelona
Candela Fernández-Naval1, Maider Arando2, Mateu Espasa3
1Microbiology Department, Hospital Univeristari Vall d'Hebron - Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Aim: To implement the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) methodology in syphilis samples previously characterized by enhanced CDC typing (ECDCT) and macrolide resistance. Materials & methods: MLST was performed on genital ulcer and blood samples by analyzing a region of the tp0136, tp0548 and tp0705loci using Sanger sequencing. Results: Up to 59/85 (69.4%) of genital ulcer and 4/39 (10.3%) of whole blood samples were fully typed. The most frequent profiles were 1.3.1 (56%) and 1.1.1 (11%). All the 1.3.1 samples typed carried the A2058G mutation, responsible for macrolide resistance. MLST and ECDCT showed similar overall typing yields. Conclusion: Several allelic profiles of T. pallidum subsp. pallidum were identified and classified into two major genetic clades in Barcelona. Our results were similar to that described in Europe.

