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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Forward Genetic Approaches in Chlamydia trachomatis
09:03

Forward Genetic Approaches in Chlamydia trachomatis

Published on: October 23, 2013

Spread of Chlamydia pneumoniae ST16 during the 2024-2025 outbreak in France

Arabella Touati1, Cécile Bébéar1,2, Olivia Peuchant1,2

  • 1Department of Bacteriology, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France.

Emerging Microbes & Infections
|July 11, 2026
PubMed

Insights

A recent Chlamydia pneumoniae outbreak in France was dominated by a single genotype, ST16. This suggests the widespread dissemination of this specific strain may be driving the increase in respiratory infections.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genomics

Background:

  • A rise in Chlamydia pneumoniae respiratory infections occurred in France between 2024-2025.
  • Understanding the genetic makeup of the pathogen is crucial during outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genotypic characteristics of Chlamydia pneumoniae during the recent French outbreak.
  • To determine the predominant sequence type (ST) responsible for the resurgence.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Chlamydiales Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) scheme.
  • Analyzed molecular data from positive respiratory samples of infected individuals.

Main Results:

  • The study identified an exclusive predominance of C. pneumoniae ST16.
  • This finding indicates a potential widespread distribution of ST16 across France.

Conclusions:

  • The Chlamydia pneumoniae resurgence in France appears to be driven by the clonal expansion of ST16.
  • Further international molecular studies are recommended to confirm if this is a global phenomenon.
Keywords:
Chlamydia pneumoniaegenotypic distributionmulti-locus sequence typingoutbreakrespiratory infection

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