_UK_T__pallidum_WGS__Population_genomic_analysis_of_UK_Syphilis_sequenced_directly_from_clinical_samples

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum sub-species pallidum (TPP), a non-culturable Spirochaete bacteria. In recent years, global Syphilis prevalence has been increasing, with an estimated 12 million cases annually, and UK cases have risen particularly dramatically, with approximately 6000 UK cases in 2016 (compared to 3000/year as recently as 2012). However, our current understanding of pathogen diversity is extremely limited, both at the global and national scale. In collaboration with Public Health England, we will sequence a large collection UK Syphilis samples directly from clinical specimens in order to provide a detailed picture of countrywide Syphilis population structure and sexual network relationships.梅毒是由苍白密螺旋体苍白亚种（Treponema pallidum sub-species pallidum，简称TPP）引发的性传播感染，该病原体是一种无法体外培养的螺旋体细菌。近年来，全球梅毒患病率持续走高，年现患病例预估达1200万例；英国的病例数增幅尤为显著，2016年约有6000例（而2012年时仅为每年3000例左右）。然而当前我们对该病原体的种群多样性认知仍极为有限，无论全球尺度还是国家层面皆是如此。本研究与英国公共卫生署（Public Health England）合作，将直接对临床标本中的大批英国梅毒样本进行测序，以期详细刻画英国全境梅毒的种群结构及性传播网络关联。