scholarly journals Assessment of Coinfection of Sexually Transmitted Pathogen Microbes by Use of the Anyplex II STI-7 Molecular Kit

2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 991-993 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Berçot ◽  
R. Amarsy ◽  
A. Goubard ◽  
C. Aparicio ◽  
H. U. Loeung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Genital Infection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Ureaplasma Parvum ◽  
Reference Methods

Anyplex STI-7 is a new molecular kit that detects seven sexually transmitted pathogens. Among 202 subjects screened for genital infection, 143 (70.4%) were diagnosed with at least one pathogen, in concordance with reference methods. In addition, the Anyplex STI-7 demonstrated coinfections, such as that withUreaplasma parvumandChlamydia trachomatis, in young women.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of Chlamydia psittaci Genomes Reveals the Recent Emergence of a Pathogenic Lineage with a Broad Host Range

mBio ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy D. Read ◽  
Sandeep J. Joseph ◽  
Xavier Didelot ◽  
Brooke Liang ◽  
Lisa Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
New World ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Chlamydia Psittaci ◽  
South American ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of

ABSTRACT Chlamydia psittaci is an obligate intracellular bacterium. Interest in Chlamydia stems from its high degree of virulence as an intestinal and pulmonary pathogen across a broad range of animals, including humans. C. psittaci human pulmonary infections, referred to as psittacosis, can be life-threatening, which is why the organism was developed as a bioweapon in the 20th century and is listed as a CDC biothreat agent. One remarkable recent result from comparative genomics is the finding of frequent homologous recombination across the genome of the sexually transmitted and trachoma pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis. We sought to determine if similar evolutionary dynamics occurred in C. psittaci. We analyzed 20 C. psittaci genomes from diverse strains representing the nine known serotypes of the organism as well as infections in a range of birds and mammals, including humans. Genome annotation revealed a core genome in all strains of 911 genes. Our analyses showed that C. psittaci has a history of frequently switching hosts and undergoing recombination more often than C. trachomatis. Evolutionary history reconstructions showed genome-wide homologous recombination and evidence of whole-plasmid exchange. Tracking the origins of recombinant segments revealed that some strains have imported DNA from as-yet-unsampled or -unsequenced C. psittaci lineages or other Chlamydiaceae species. Three ancestral populations of C. psittaci were predicted, explaining the current population structure. Molecular clock analysis found that certain strains are part of a clonal epidemic expansion likely introduced into North America by South American bird traders, suggesting that psittacosis is a recently emerged disease originating in New World parrots. IMPORTANCE Chlamydia psittaci is classified as a CDC biothreat agent based on its association with life-threatening lung disease, termed psittacosis, in humans. Because of the recent remarkable findings of frequent recombination across the genome of the human sexually transmitted and ocular trachoma pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, we sought to determine if similar evolutionary dynamics occur in C. psittaci. Twenty C. psittaci genomes were analyzed from diverse strains that may play a pathogenic role in human disease. Evolution of the strains revealed genome-wide recombination occurring at a higher rate than for C. trachomatis. Certain strains were discovered to be part of a recent epidemic clonal expansion originating in South America. These strains may have been introduced into the United States from South American bird traders, suggesting that psittacosis is a recently emerged disease originating in New World parrots. Our analyses indicate that C. psittaci strains have a history of frequently switching hosts and undergoing recombination.

scholarly journals In Vitro Activity of Lefamulin against Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Pathogens

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Paukner ◽  
Astrid Gruss ◽  
Jørgen Skov Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Bacterial Pathogens ◽  
Mycoplasma Genitalium ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
In Vitro Activity ◽  
First Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

ABSTRACT The pleuromutilin antibiotic lefamulin demonstrated in vitro activity against the most relevant bacterial pathogens causing sexually transmitted infections (STI), including Chlamydia trachomatis (MIC 50/90 , 0.02/0.04 mg/liter; n = 15), susceptible and multidrug-resistant Mycoplasma genitalium (MIC range, 0.002 to 0.063 mg/liter; n = 6), and susceptible and resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (MIC 50/90 , 0.12/0.5 mg/liter; n = 25). The results suggest that lefamulin could be a promising first-line antibiotic for the treatment of STI, particularly in populations with high rates of resistance to standard-of-care antibiotics.

scholarly journals Structure and Metal Binding Properties of Chlamydia trachomatis YtgA

2019 ◽  
Vol 202 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenyao Luo ◽  
Stephanie L. Neville ◽  
Rebecca Campbell ◽  
Jacqueline R. Morey ◽  
Shruti Menon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Transition Metal ◽  
Metal Binding ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Serious Disease

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in developed countries, with an estimated global prevalence of 4.2% in the 15- to 49-year age group. Although infection is asymptomatic in more than 80% of infected women, about 10% of cases result in serious disease. Infection by C. trachomatis is dependent on the ability to acquire essential nutrients, such as the transition metal iron, from host cells. In this study, we show that iron is the most abundant transition metal in C. trachomatis and report the structural and biochemical properties of the iron-recruiting protein YtgA. Knowledge of the high-resolution structure of YtgA will provide a platform for future structure-based antimicrobial design approaches.

scholarly journals Role for GrgA in Regulation of σ28-Dependent Transcription in the Obligate Intracellular Bacterial PathogenChlamydia trachomatis

2018 ◽  
Vol 200 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malhar Desai ◽  
Wurihan Wurihan ◽  
Rong Di ◽  
Joseph D. Fondell ◽  
Bryce E. Nickels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Sigma Factor ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Developmental Cycle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
Specific Transcription Factor

ABSTRACTThe obligate intracellular bacterial pathogenChlamydia trachomatishas a unique developmental cycle consisting of two contrasting cellular forms. Whereas the primaryChlamydiasigma factor, σ66, is involved in the expression of the majority of chlamydial genes throughout the developmental cycle, expression of several late genes requires the alternative sigma factor, σ28. In prior work, we identified GrgA as aChlamydia-specific transcription factor that activates σ66-dependent transcription by binding DNA and interacting with a nonconserved region (NCR) of σ66. Here, we extend these findings by showing GrgA can also activate σ28-dependent transcription through direct interaction with σ28. We measure the binding affinity of GrgA for both σ66and σ28, and we identify regions of GrgA important for σ28-dependent transcription. Similar to results obtained with σ66, we find that GrgA's interaction with σ28involves an NCR located upstream of conserved region 2 of σ28. Our findings suggest that GrgA is an important regulator of both σ66- and σ28-dependent transcription inC. trachomatisand further highlight NCRs of bacterial RNA polymerase as targets for regulatory factors unique to particular organisms.IMPORTANCEChlamydia trachomatisis the number one sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen worldwide. A substantial proportion ofC. trachomatis-infected women develop infertility, pelvic inflammatory syndrome, and other serious complications.C. trachomatisis also a leading infectious cause of blindness in underdeveloped countries. The pathogen has a unique developmental cycle that is transcriptionally regulated. The discovery of an expanded role for theChlamydia-specific transcription factor GrgA helps us understand the progression of the chlamydial developmental cycle.

Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection in migrant female sex workers in Italy

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 591-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Matteelli ◽  
Anna Beltrame ◽  
Anna C C Carvalho ◽  
Caterina Casalini ◽  
Maria Antonietta Forleo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Genital Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Female Migrant

We have assessed prevalence, incidence, and factors associated with increased risk for Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection among female migrant sex workers in Italy. In a prospective, observational study, women were offered free screening for sexually transmitted diseases and C. trachomatis was tested by a commercial ligase chain reaction assay in endocervical specimens. Of the 101 women tested, 14 (14%) were positive. The odds ratio (OR) for C. trachomatis infection was significantly higher for females under 24 years (OR = 4.31), women from Eastern Europe (OR = 4.80), and migrants less than 12 months in Italy (OR = 4.41). In a multivariate logistic regression model, only origin from Eastern Europe remained independently associated to a higher risk for C. trachomatis infection (OR = 6.05). This study provides evidence for high prevalence and incidence of C. trachomatis genital infection in migrant sex workers. Women from Eastern Europe have a significantly higher risk. These data reinforce the need for targeted control interventions.

scholarly journals The “3 in 1” Study: Pooling Self-Taken Pharyngeal, Urethral, and Rectal Samples into a Single Sample for Analysis for Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis in Men Who Have Sex with Men

2015 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 650-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Sultan ◽  
J. A. White ◽  
R. Fish ◽  
G. Carrick ◽  
N. Brima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Site Testing ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Soc Testing ◽  
Sex With Men

Triple-site testing (using pharyngeal, rectal, and urethral/first-void urine samples) forNeisseria gonorrhoeaeandChlamydia trachomatisusing nucleic acid amplification tests detects greater numbers of infections among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, triple-site testing represents a cost pressure for services. MSM over 18 years of age were eligible if they requested testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), reported recent sexual contact with eitherC. trachomatisorN. gonorrhoeae, or had symptoms of an STI. Each patient underwent standard-of-care (SOC) triple-site testing, and swabs were taken to form a pooled sample (PS) (pharyngeal, rectal, and urine specimens). The PS was created using two methods during different periods at one clinic, but we analyzed the data in combination because the sensitivity of the two methods did not differ significantly forC. trachomatis(P= 0.774) orN. gonorrhoeae(P= 0.163). The sensitivity of PS testing (92%) was slightly lower than that of SOC testing (96%) for detectingC. trachomatis(P= 0.167). ForN. gonorrhoeae, the sensitivity of PS testing (90%) was significantly lower than that of SOC testing (99%) (P< 0.001). When pharynx-only infections were excluded, the sensitivity of PS testing to detectN. gonorrhoeaeinfections increased to 94%. Our findings show that pooling of self-taken samples could be an effective and cost-saving method, with high negative predictive values. (Interim results of this study were presented at the BASHH 2013 summer meeting.)

scholarly journals Investigating the Epidemiology of Repeat Chlamydia trachomatis Detection after Treatment by Using C. trachomatis OmpA Genotyping

2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 546-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richa Kapil ◽  
Christen G. Press ◽  
M. Lisa Hwang ◽  
LaDraka Brown ◽  
William M. Geisler
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Sexual Partner ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Genotype Distribution ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Infection Treatment ◽  
Outer Membrane Protein A

RepeatChlamydia trachomatisdetection frequently occurs within months afterC. trachomatisinfection treatment. The origins of such infection (persistence versus reinfection from untreated or new partners) are varied and difficult to determine.C. trachomatisstrains can be differentiated by sequencing theompAgene encoding the outer membrane protein A (OmpA). We used OmpA genotyping to investigate the epidemiology of repeatC. trachomatisdetection after treatment inC. trachomatis-infected subjects seen at a sexually transmitted diseases clinic. Subjects were enrolled, tested forC. trachomatis, treated with azithromycin, and scheduled for a 6-month follow-up for repeatC. trachomatistesting. OmpA genotyping was performed onC. trachomatis-positive urogenital specimens obtained from patients at enrollment and follow-up. The enrollment visit OmpA genotypes forC. trachomatiswere determined for 162 subjects (92% female, 94% African American).C. trachomatiswas detected at follow-up in 39 subjects (24%). The OmpA genotype distribution at enrollment did not differ in those with versus those without repeatC. trachomatisdetection. Of the 35 subjects withC. trachomatisstrains genotyped at enrollment and follow-up, 7 (20%) had the sameompAsequence at both visits, while 28 (80%) had discordant sequences. A new sexual partner was reported more often in subjects with discordantC. trachomatisstrains than in those with concordant strains (13 [46%] versus 1 [14%];P= 0.195). Half of the subjects with discordantC. trachomatisstrains who reported sexual activity since treatment denied a new sexual partner; 62% of these subjects reported that their partner was treated. Our study demonstrates that most repeatC. trachomatisdetections after treatment were new infections with a differentC. trachomatisstrain rather than reinfection with the same strain. OmpA genotyping can be a useful tool in understanding the origins of repeatC. trachomatisdetection after treatment.

scholarly journals Tryptophan Operon Diversity Reveals Evolutionary Trends among Geographically Disparate Chlamydia trachomatis Ocular and Urogenital Strains Affecting Tryptophan Repressor and Synthase Function

mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sankhya Bommana ◽  
Naraporn Somboonna ◽  
Gracie Richards ◽  
Maryam Tarazkar ◽  
Deborah Dean
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Intracellular Survival ◽  
Tryptophan Synthase ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Host Pathogen ◽  
Tryptophan Operon ◽  
Tryptophan Repressor

ABSTRACT The obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections and blindness globally. To date, Ct urogenital strains are considered tryptophan prototrophs, utilizing indole for tryptophan synthesis within a closed-conformation tetramer comprised of two α (TrpA)- and two β (TrpB)-subunits. In contrast, ocular strains are auxotrophs due to mutations in TrpA, relying on host tryptophan pools for survival. It has been speculated that there is strong selective pressure for urogenital strains to maintain a functional operon. Here, we performed genetic, phylogenetic, and novel functional modeling analyses of 595 geographically diverse Ct ocular, urethral, vaginal, and rectal strains with complete operon sequences. We found that ocular and urogenital, but not lymphogranuloma venereum, TrpA-coding sequences were under positive selection. However, vaginal and urethral strains exhibited greater nucleotide diversity and a higher ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions [Pi(a)/Pi(s)] than ocular strains, suggesting a more rapid evolution of beneficial mutations. We also identified nonsynonymous amino acid changes for an ocular isolate with a urogenital backbone in the intergenic region between TrpR and TrpB at the exact binding site for YtgR—the only known iron-dependent transcription factor in Chlamydia—indicating that selective pressure has disabled the response to fluctuating iron levels. In silico effects on protein stability, ligand-binding affinity, and tryptophan repressor (TrpR) affinity for single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) measured by calculating free energy changes (ΔΔG) between Ct reference and mutant tryptophan operon proteins were also analyzed. We found that tryptophan synthase function was likely suboptimal compared to other bacterial tryptophan prototrophs and that a diversity of urogenital strain mutations rendered the synthase nonfunctional or inefficient. The novel mutations identified here affected active sites in an orthosteric manner but also hindered α- and β-subunit allosteric interactions from distant sites, reducing efficiency of the tryptophan synthase. Importantly, strains with mutant proteins were inclined toward energy conservation by exhibiting an altered affinity for their respective ligands compared to reference strains, indicating greater fitness. This is not surprising as l-tryptophan is one of the most energetically costly amino acids to synthesize. Mutations in the tryptophan repressor gene (trpR) among urogenital strains were similarly detrimental to function. Our findings indicate that urogenital strains are evolving more rapidly than previously recognized with mutations that impact tryptophan operon function in a manner that is energetically beneficial, providing a novel host-pathogen evolutionary mechanism for intracellular survival. IMPORTANCE Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is a major global public health concern causing sexually transmitted and ocular infections affecting over 130 million and 260 million people, respectively. Sequelae include infertility, preterm birth, ectopic pregnancy, and blindness. Ct relies on available host tryptophan pools and/or substrates to synthesize tryptophan to survive. Urogenital strains synthesize tryptophan from indole using their intact tryptophan synthase (TS). Ocular strains contain a trpA frameshift mutation that encodes a truncated TrpA with loss of TS function. We found that TS function is likely suboptimal compared to other tryptophan prototrophs and that urogenital stains contain diverse mutations that render TS nonfunctional/inefficient, evolve more rapidly than previously recognized, and impact operon function in a manner that is energetically beneficial, providing an alternative host-pathogen evolutionary mechanism for intracellular survival. Our research has broad scientific appeal since our approach can be applied to other bacteria that may explain evolution/survival in host-pathogen interactions.

scholarly journals Innate Lymphoid Cells Are Required for Endometrial Resistance to Chlamydia trachomatis Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Xu ◽  
Xin Su ◽  
Yujie Zhao ◽  
Lingli Tang ◽  
Jianlin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Adaptive Immunity ◽  
Innate Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Gamma Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT In some women, sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis may ascend to infect the endometrium, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease. To identify endometrial innate immune components that interact with Chlamydia, we introduced C. trachomatis into mouse endometrium via transcervical inoculation and compared the infectious yields in mice with and without immunodeficiency. Live C. trachomatis recovered from vaginal swabs or endometrial tissues peaked on day 3 and then declined in all mice with or without deficiency in adaptive immunity, indicating a critical role for innate immunity in endometrial control of C. trachomatis infection. Additional knockout of interleukin 2 receptor common gamma chain (IL-2Rγc) from adaptive immunity-deficient mice significantly compromised the endometrial innate immunity, demonstrating an important role for innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). Consistently, deficiency in IL-7 receptor alone, a common gamma chain-containing receptor required for ILC development, significantly reduced endometrial innate immunity. Furthermore, mice deficient in RORγt or T-bet became more susceptible to endometrial infection with C. trachomatis, suggesting a role for group 3-like ILCs in endometrial innate immunity. Furthermore, genetic deletion of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) but not IL-22 or antibody-mediated depletion of IFN-γ from adaptive immunity-deficient mice significantly compromised the endometrial innate immunity. Finally, depletion of NK1.1+ cells from adaptive immunity-deficient mice both significantly reduced IFN-γ and increased C. trachomatis burden in the endometrial tissue, confirming that mouse ILCs contribute significantly to endometrial innate immunity via an IFN-γ-dependent effector mechanism. It will be worth investigating whether IFN-γ-producing ILCs also improve endometrial resistance to sexually transmitted C. trachomatis infection in women.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document