Detailed molecular epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis in the population of Southampton attending the genitourinary medicine clinic in 2012-13 reveals the presence of long established genotypes and transitory sexual networks

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in England. Our objective was to perform a detailed survey of the molecular epidemiology of C. trachomatis in the population of Southampton UK attending the genitourinary medicine clinic (GUM) to seek evidence of sexual network activity. Our hypothesis was that certain genotypes can be associated with specific demographic determinants. 380 positive samples were collected from 375 C. trachomatis positive GUM attendees out of the 3118 who consented to be part of the survey. 302 of the positive samples were fully genotyped. All six of the predominant genotypes possessed ompA locus type E. One ward of Southampton known to contain a large proportion of students had a different profile of genotypes compared to other areas of the city. Some genotypes appeared embedded in the city population whilst others appeared transient. Predominant circulating genotypes remain stable within a city population whereas others are sporadic. Sexual networks could be inferred but not conclusively identified using the data from this survey.

沙眼衣原体(Chlamydia trachomatis)是英格兰最常见的性传播感染(sexually transmitted infection, STI)。本研究旨在对英国南安普敦市就诊于泌尿生殖医学门诊(genitourinary medicine clinic, GUM)的人群开展沙眼衣原体分子流行病学详细调查，以探寻性传播网络活动的相关证据。本研究提出的假设为：特定基因型可与特定人口统计学特征相关联。在同意参与本次调查的3118名受试者中，我们从375名沙眼衣原体检测呈阳性的泌尿生殖医学门诊就诊者中采集了380份阳性样本。其中302份阳性样本完成了全基因型分型。所有6种主要基因型均携带ompA基因座(ompA locus)E型。南安普敦市某一学生占比较高的街区，其基因型分布特征与城市其他区域存在显著差异。部分基因型持续存在于本市人群中，而其余基因型则呈现一过性流行特征。本市人群中主要流行的基因型保持稳定，而其他基因型则呈散发性分布。基于本次调查的数据，可推断出性传播网络的存在，但无法确切识别其具体构成。