Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis induces inflammatory pathologies in the urogenital tract that can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Pathogenesis of infection has been mostly attributed to excessive cytok...Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis induces inflammatory pathologies in the urogenital tract that can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Pathogenesis of infection has been mostly attributed to excessive cytokine production. However, precise mechanisms on how C. trachomatis triggers this production, and which protein（s） stimulate inflammatory cytokines remains unknown. In the present study, the C. trachomatis pORF5 protein induced tumor necrosis factor alpha （TNF-a）, interleukin-1 beta （IL-1β） and interleukin-8 （IL-8） in dose and time-dependent manners in the THP-1 human monocyte cell line. We found that intracellular p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） and extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）/MAPK signaling pathways were required for the induction of TNF- a, IL-1β and IL-8. Blockade of toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2） signaling reduced induction levels of TNF-a, IL-8 and IL-1β. We concluded that the C. trachomatis pORF5 protein might contribute to the inflammatory processes associated with chlamydial infections.展开更多
To validate the immune protective efficacy of pORF5 DNA vaccine and to analyze potential mechanisms related to this protection. In this study, pORF5 DNA vaccine was constructed and evaluated for its protective immunit...To validate the immune protective efficacy of pORF5 DNA vaccine and to analyze potential mechanisms related to this protection. In this study, pORF5 DNA vaccine was constructed and evaluated for its protective immunity in a mouse model of genital chlamydial infection. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized intranasally with pORF5 DNA vaccine. Humoral and cell mediated immune responses were evaluated. The clearance ability of chlamydial challenge from the genital tract and the chlamy- dia-induced upper genital tract gross pathology and histopathological characterization were also de- tected. The results showed that the total and the IgG2a anti-pORF5 antibody levels in serum were sig- nificantly elevated after pcDNA3.1-pORF5 vaccination, as were the total antibody and IgA levels in vaginal fluids. pcDNA3.1-pORF5 induced a significantly high level of Th1 response as measured by robust gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Minimal IL-4 was produced by immune T cells in response to the re-stimulation with pORF5 protein or the inactive elementary body in vitro. pcDNA3.1-pORF5-vacci- nated mice displayed significantly reduced bacterial shedding upon a chlamydial challenge and an accelerated resolution of infection. 100% of pcDNA3.1-pORF5 vaccinated mice successfully resolved the infection by day 24. pcDNA3.1-pORF5-immunized mice also exhibited protection against patho- logical consequences of chlamydial infection. The stimulated index was significantly higher than that of mice immunized with pcDNA3.1 and PBS (P<0.05). Together, these results demonstrated that immu- nization with pORF5 DNA vaccine is a promising approach for eliciting a protective immunity against a genital chlamydial challenge.展开更多
The objective of this multicentric study was to assess the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma génitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis infections in Brazzaville, in the Republic of...The objective of this multicentric study was to assess the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma génitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis infections in Brazzaville, in the Republic of Congo, using molecular methods. From January to December 2021, the sexually transmitted disease risk participants were recruited from six centers: The Association of Young HIV-Positive People of Congo, The Congolese Association for Family Welfare, The Association for Support to Vulnerable Groups, Talangaï hospital, Brazzaville university hospital (outpatient service) and the private clinic COGEMO (outpatient service). The real-time multiplex PCR was carried out to detect these pathogens. Each patient had at least one specimen (urine, urethral, anal and/or vaginal samples). The patients were considered infected when one of their samples was positive. 287 participants made of 227 women and 60 men were tested. The general prevalence of these infections was: Chlamydia trachomatis 2.79%, Neisseria gonorrhoeae 3.14%, Mycoplasma génitalium 3.45% and Trichomonas vaginalis 2.97. The prevalence rates according to sex were: C. trachomatis, M. génitalium, N. gonorrhea and T. vaginalis were 1.32%, 2.05%, 1.32% and 3.42% in women and 8.33%, 7.02%, 10% and 1.75% in men, respectively. Most infected patients were asymptomatic. Prevalence rates were higher in bisexual individuals, with the exception of T. vaginalis which showed higher prevalence in heterosexual patients. The bisexual and homosexual individuals represent a major public health problem in sexually active young adults, particularly among men having sex with men. These sexually transmitted infections are mainly asymptomatic, their diagnosis and management remain difficult in developing countries.展开更多
AIM：To determine the possibility of the development of dry eye disease（DED） as a result of persistent infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in the conjunctiva of patients.METHODS： This st...AIM：To determine the possibility of the development of dry eye disease（DED） as a result of persistent infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in the conjunctiva of patients.METHODS： This study was conducted on 58 patients of age range 20-50 y,diagnosed with DED confirmed by Schirmer I test and tear breakup time.The non-dry eye control group included 27 subjects of the same age.Ocular specimens were collected as conjunctival scrapings and swabs divided into three groups： the first used for bacterial culture,the second and third taken to detect Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum by direct fluorescent antibody（DFA） assay and polymerase chain reaction（PCR） method. RESULTS： Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 65.5% and 76% of DED patients by DFA and PCR methods respectively.Ureaplasma urealyticum was found in 44.8% of DED infected patients using the PCR method.Both organisms were identified in only 37.9% of DED patients found to be infected.Control subjects had a 22%detection rate of Chlamydia trachomatis by DFA assay versus a 7% detection rate by PCR; while Ureaplasma urealyticum was detected in 3.7% of the controls by PCR method.The conjunctival culture revealed that gram positive microorganisms represented 75% of isolates with coagulase negative Staphylococci the most common（50%） followed by Staphylococcus aureus（20%）,whereas gram negative microorganisms occurred in 25% of cases,isolating Moraxella spp.as the most frequent organism. CONCLUSION： Our results tend to point out that Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum were detected in a moderate percentage of patients with DED,and could be a fair possibility for its development.PCR is more reliable in detecting Chlamydia trachomatis than DFA technique.The presence of isolated conjunctival bacterial microflora can be of some potential value.展开更多
Chlamydia trachomatis （Ct） genital infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease （STD） in China and the US. The morbidity of Ct genital infection in China has increased from 32.48/100,000 in 2008 to 37...Chlamydia trachomatis （Ct） genital infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease （STD） in China and the US. The morbidity of Ct genital infection in China has increased from 32.48/100,000 in 2008 to 37.18/100,000 in 2015.[1] The major areas of Ct infections are concentrated in the Zhujiang Delta, Changjiang Delta, Minjiang Area, and West China. In these areas, the highest incidence of Ct infection reaches 615.99/100,000 citizens. In the US, there are 1,441,789 reported Ct, which include 627.2 females and 278.4 males per 100,000 population. It is now the most prevalent STD, with its rate increasing to 22% in males and 6% in females.[2] Ct genital infection can cause epididymitis, prostatitis, cervicitis, annexitis, infertility, and atopic pregnancy, which have been identified as the major public health problems.展开更多
Trachoma is one of the most widespread blinding eye diseases, which is harmful to human visual health. The efforts to prevent and control trachoma in China can be divided into three periods, i.e., highly epidemic peri...Trachoma is one of the most widespread blinding eye diseases, which is harmful to human visual health. The efforts to prevent and control trachoma in China can be divided into three periods, i.e., highly epidemic period, research on pathogenesis and control of trachoma, and blinding trachoma elimination and epidemiological evaluation. In 1956, Prof. Feifan Tang and Xiaolou Zhang first discovered and isolated Chlamydia trachomatis, which clarified the cause of trachoma, and kick-started a fresh chapter in trachoma research, prevention, and control around the world. Although, the prevalence of trachoma differed in different areas, the average prevalence once exceeded 50% and was as high as 90% in some areas before and at early liberation of China. Therefore, the government-led efforts were made to comprehensively prevent and control trachoma, including development of National Plan for the Prevention and Control of Trachoma, nationwide screening and treatment of trachoma, implementation of National Patriotic Health Campaign and improvement of water supply and lavatories. After decades of effort, China reached the goal of eliminating blinding trachoma in 2015. China has gained remarkable achievements in the prevention and treatment of trachoma, making outstanding contributions toward the goal of eliminating trachoma worldwide. The research, prevention, and control of trachoma in China were reviewed in this paper.展开更多
<abstract>Aim: To relate the presence of anti-Chlamydial trachomatis IgA in semen with sperm lipid membrane peroxidation and changes in seminal parameters. Methods: Semen samples of the male partners of 52 coupl...<abstract>Aim: To relate the presence of anti-Chlamydial trachomatis IgA in semen with sperm lipid membrane peroxidation and changes in seminal parameters. Methods: Semen samples of the male partners of 52 couples assessed for undiagnosed infertility were examined for the presence of IgA antibody against C. trachomatis. The level of sperm membrane lipid peroxidation was estimated by determining the malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. Results: Sperm membrane of infertile males with positive IgA antibodies against C. trachomatis showed a higher level of lipid peroxidation than that of infertile males with negative IgA antibody (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation (P< 0.01) between the level of C. trachomatis antibody and the magnitude of sperm membrane lipid peroxidation. All the other tested semen parameters were found to be similar in the two groups. Conclusion: The activation of immune system by C. trachomatis may promote lipid peroxidation of the sperm membrane. This could be the way by which C. trachomatis affects fertility.展开更多
Objective:Laboratory capacity for Chlamydia trachomatis (C.trachomatis) detection is important in the diagnosis and treatment of C.trachomatis infection,appropriate clinical management of patients,and providing eviden...Objective:Laboratory capacity for Chlamydia trachomatis (C.trachomatis) detection is important in the diagnosis and treatment of C.trachomatis infection,appropriate clinical management of patients,and providing evidence for prevention programs.We conducted this study to assess laboratory capabilities for detecting C.trachomatis in China by analysis of external quality assessment (EQA) results from 2013 to 2018.Methods:Overall,310/1,048 (29.58%) laboratories at national sexually transmitted disease (STD) sentinel site with 252-272 laboratories per time participated in six times of EQA.Each laboratory was requested to test the samples from EQA organization by the common method used,and the test results were reported to EQA organization for assessment.Z test and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used for data analyses.Results:Immunochromatographic test,nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT),and ELISA were used and accounted for 76.69%,21.54%,1.77%,respectively of all participating laboratories from 2013 to 2018.The total specificity for negative samples was 94.76%,the sensitivity for positive samples with medium and high concentration of C.trachomatis samples were 94.31% and 95.51%,respectively,but the sensitivity for sample with low concentration of Co trachomatis was 36.89%,and the immunochromatographic test had the worst sensitivity for detection of this sample (21.17% [95% C/s:18.93%-23.60%]) among the three methods.Three factors were found to be significantly associated with the sensitivity of the low-concentration sample:the location of laboratories (East China:adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =2.98,95% C/s:1.69-5.25,P < 0.05;South China:AOR =3.34,95% CIs:1.38-5.48,P < 0.05;Southwest China:AOR=2.75,95% CIs:1.37-5.48,P<0.05,as compared with Northwest China);the types of hospitals (prevention and control agencies:AOR =0.56,95% CIs:0.40-0.80,P < 0.05,as compared with general hospitals);and the method used (NAAT:AOR=46.99,95% CIs:28.49-77.48,P< 0.050;ELISA:AOR=5.42,95% CIS:2.40-12.25,P<0.05,as compared with i展开更多
Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis infections constitute a major public health problem, particularly in women. The objective of this study is to identify Chlamydia trachomatis to improve the health of women in the De...Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis infections constitute a major public health problem, particularly in women. The objective of this study is to identify Chlamydia trachomatis to improve the health of women in the Department of Mayo-Boneye. Methodology: This is a prospective observational study that took place from October to December 2021, including 168 patients with their sociodemographic characteristics. The venous blood of the patients was collected in dry tubes and centrifuged to obtain the serum. The Chlamydia IgG Rapid Test Cassette was used for the detection of antibodies to Chlamydia infection. The Epi Info 7<sup>TM</sup> software was used to perform the statistical analyses. Results: A total of 168 patients were included in this study. The average age was 26.36 ± 9.21 years, the median was 25.5 years with the extremes of 14 years and 70 years. Among these patients, 46.43% were illiterate, 5.95% and 20.83% were primary and secondary school students, respectively, and 26.79% university students. For marital status, 66.67% were single, 16.67% married, 10.71% divorced and 5.95% widowed. Regarding the profession, 26.79% were traders, 8.93% were employees and 64.29% unemployed. In this study, the 168 patients had performed Chlamydia trachomatis serology among whom 02 (1.19%) were excluded for invalid results and 10.71% presented positive cases. The city of Bongor was the most infected with 61% of cases. Among these patients, 54.22% were linked to risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis. The most infected age group was between 25 and 35 with a seroprevalence of 5.36% of cases. Conclusion: In this study, Chlamydia trachomatis was positive for 10.71% of diagnosed cases. The most affected age groups are young, sexually active women. The State should emphasize the screening of women, the awareness of students and academics.展开更多
To study the molecular characteristics of Chlamydia trachomatis, the major outer membrane protein gene(omp A) of C. trachomatis from primary school students with trachoma residing in the Qinghai Tibetan area was seque...To study the molecular characteristics of Chlamydia trachomatis, the major outer membrane protein gene(omp A) of C. trachomatis from primary school students with trachoma residing in the Qinghai Tibetan area was sequenced and compared with the same serotype in Gen Bank. In Jianshetang Primary School and Galeng Central Primary School in the Galeng Tibetan Township of Qinghai Haidong Sala Autonomous County, scraped samples were collected from the upper tarsal conjunctiva and lower conjunctival sac of both eyes of 45 students with trachoma, stored at 4°C, and transported to Beijing Tongren Hospital by air within 24 h. The samples were screened for C. trachomatis by real-time PCR. The omp A gene from the C. trachomatis-positive samples was amplified by nested PCR. The serotype was confirmed by National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI) BLAST search and homology analysis. The entire omp A gene sequence was compared with the corresponding gene sequences of serotype B strains available in Gen Bank. Of the 45 students aged 6–13 years with trachoma, 26 C. trachomatis-positive students were identified by the initial real-time PCR screening(average age,(9.09±1.63) years; sex ratio, 1.0), accounting for 57.78%(26/45). The cycle threshold values for real-time PCR were 16.79–37.77. Half(13/26) of C. trachomatis-positive students had a bacterial copy number of >105. The compliance rate of the omp A gene sequences with the C. trachomatis serotype B strains in Gen Bank was up to 99%. Two novel genetic mutations were found when the omp A gene was compared with those of the 11 serotype B strains in Gen Bank. The two non-synonymous mutations were located at(i) position 271 in the second constant domain, an adenine(A) to guanine(G) substitution(ACT?GCT), changing the amino acid at position 91 from threonine to alanine(Thr?Ala) in all 26 strains; and(ii) position 887 in the fourth variable domain, a cytosine(C) to thymine(T) substitution(GCA?GTA), changing the amino acid at residue 296 from alanine to valine(Ala?Val) in展开更多
Objective To review the common genotyping techniques of Chlamydia trachomatis in terms of their principles,characteristics,applications and limitations.Data sources Data used in this review were mainly from English li...Objective To review the common genotyping techniques of Chlamydia trachomatis in terms of their principles,characteristics,applications and limitations.Data sources Data used in this review were mainly from English literatures of PubMed database.The search terms were ＂Chlamydia trachomatis＂ and ＂genotyping＂.Meanwhile,data from World Health Organization were also cited.Study selection Original articles and reviews relevant to present review＇s theme were selected.Results Different genotyping techniques were applied on different occasions according to their characteristics,especially in epidemiological studies worldwide,which pushed the study of Chlamydia trachomatis forward greatly.In addition,summaries of some epidemiological studies by genotyping were also included in this work for reference and comparison.Conclusions A clear understanding of common genotyping techniques could be helpful to genotype C.trachomatis more appropriately and effectively.Furthermore,more studies on the association of genotypes of Ch/amydia trachomatis with clinical manifestations should be performed.展开更多
The inclusion membrane proteins play potentially important roles in chlamydial biology and pathogenesis.Here we localized and characterized the hypothetical protein CT440 in Chlamydia trachomatis-infected cells.The op...The inclusion membrane proteins play potentially important roles in chlamydial biology and pathogenesis.Here we localized and characterized the hypothetical protein CT440 in Chlamydia trachomatis-infected cells.The open reading frame(ORF) encoding the CT440 protein from the C.trachomatis serovar D genome was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-6p and expressed as a glutathione-S-transferase(GST) fusion protein in E.coli XL1-Blue.The CT440 fusion protein was used to immunize mice to raise antigen-specific antibody.After verification by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay(IFA),the specific antibody was used to localize the endogenous CT440 protein and to detect its expression pattern in Chlamydia-infected cells.Cytosolic expression of CT440 in HeLa cells was also carried out to evaluate the effect of the CT440 protein on the subsequent chlamydial infection.The results showed that the hypothetical protein CT440 was localized in the C.trachomatis inclusion membrane,and was detectable 12 h after chlamydial infection.Expression of CT440 in the cytoplasm did not inhibit the subsequent chlamydial infection.In summary,we have identified a new inclusion membrane protein that may be an important candidate for understanding C.trachomatis pathogenesis.展开更多
AIM： To determine the frequency of detection of ocular and extraocular Chlamydia trachomatis （CT） infection in non -high myopes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment （RRD）. METHODS： This was a single-center, n...AIM： To determine the frequency of detection of ocular and extraocular Chlamydia trachomatis （CT） infection in non -high myopes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment （RRD）. METHODS： This was a single-center, nonrandomized, prospective, case-control study. One hundred and four patients were divided into a study group with RRD （n= 63） and a control group with traumatic retinal detachment （n=41）. Samples of subretinal fluid （SFR）, conjunctival, urethral/cervical swabs, and blood were collected. The frequency of detection of CT infection in SRF samples was determined by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）, direct fluorescence assay （DFA） and cell culture, whereas that in conjunctival swabs was determined by PCR and DFA, and those in urethral/cervical swabs and blood were determined by DFA. Yates Chi-square test （with Bonferroni correction） and two-tailed Student＇s t-test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS： SRF CT infection was detected more frequently in the study group （50.8%-71.4%） than in the control group （9.8%-12.2%） by all the methods used （P〈 0.01）. The frequency of detection of conjunctival CT infection by DFA was higher in the RRD patients compared with the controls （81.0% vs 24.4%, P=0.004）. The PCR detected conjunctival CT infection more often in the study group than in the controls （46.0% vs89.8%, P= 0.007）. The DFA detected CT in blood specimens almost as frequently as in urogenital specimens, for the RRD patients （61.2% vs 63.5%） and the controls （7.3% vs 9.8%）. CONCLUSION： CT infection is detected with high frequency in non-high myopes with RRD.展开更多
AIMTo determine the association between chlamydial conjunctivitis and genital infection by Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Candida albicans, in addition to the possible relationship between cultured b...AIMTo determine the association between chlamydial conjunctivitis and genital infection by Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Candida albicans, in addition to the possible relationship between cultured bacterial pathogens and oculogenital chlamydial infection.METHODSThis study was performed on 100 (50 symptomatic and 50 asymptomatic) women attending the Gynecological and Obstetric outpatient clinic of Alzahra hospital, Alazhar University. Simultaneously a conjunctival swab was taken from these patients. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done on DNA extracted from both vaginal and conjunctival swab samples. Culture for both vaginal and conjunctival swabs was also done.RESULTSCandida albicans was the predominant organism isolated by culture in 20% and 40% of conjunctival and vaginal swabs respectively. By the PCR method, ocular Chlamydia trachomatis was present in 60% of symptomatic women, while genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection was present in 30% of symptomatic women. The results of this method also indicated that 25/50 (50%) vaginal swabs were positive with PCR for Candida albicans versus 15/50 (30%) were PCR positive in conjunctival swab. Mycoplasma genitalium was present in only 10% of vaginal swabs. Concomitant oculogenital PCR positive results for Chlamydia trachomatis and Candida albicans were 30% and 28% respectively.CONCLUSIONOcular Chlamydia trachomatis was associated with genital Chlamydia trachomatis in a high percentage of women followed by Candida albicans. Cultured bacterial organisms do not play a role in enhancement of Chlamydia trachomatis infection.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30970165,81102230)Team Project for the Technology Innovation of Higher Education of Hunan Province,China,2010
文摘Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis induces inflammatory pathologies in the urogenital tract that can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Pathogenesis of infection has been mostly attributed to excessive cytokine production. However, precise mechanisms on how C. trachomatis triggers this production, and which protein（s） stimulate inflammatory cytokines remains unknown. In the present study, the C. trachomatis pORF5 protein induced tumor necrosis factor alpha （TNF-a）, interleukin-1 beta （IL-1β） and interleukin-8 （IL-8） in dose and time-dependent manners in the THP-1 human monocyte cell line. We found that intracellular p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） and extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）/MAPK signaling pathways were required for the induction of TNF- a, IL-1β and IL-8. Blockade of toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2） signaling reduced induction levels of TNF-a, IL-8 and IL-1β. We concluded that the C. trachomatis pORF5 protein might contribute to the inflammatory processes associated with chlamydial infections.
基金the National High-Tech Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2004AA2Z3530)the Hunan Province "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" Impor-tant Special Program (Grant No. 2006SK1001)the National Institutes of Health, USA (Grant No.1 R01 AI47997-01)
文摘To validate the immune protective efficacy of pORF5 DNA vaccine and to analyze potential mechanisms related to this protection. In this study, pORF5 DNA vaccine was constructed and evaluated for its protective immunity in a mouse model of genital chlamydial infection. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized intranasally with pORF5 DNA vaccine. Humoral and cell mediated immune responses were evaluated. The clearance ability of chlamydial challenge from the genital tract and the chlamy- dia-induced upper genital tract gross pathology and histopathological characterization were also de- tected. The results showed that the total and the IgG2a anti-pORF5 antibody levels in serum were sig- nificantly elevated after pcDNA3.1-pORF5 vaccination, as were the total antibody and IgA levels in vaginal fluids. pcDNA3.1-pORF5 induced a significantly high level of Th1 response as measured by robust gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Minimal IL-4 was produced by immune T cells in response to the re-stimulation with pORF5 protein or the inactive elementary body in vitro. pcDNA3.1-pORF5-vacci- nated mice displayed significantly reduced bacterial shedding upon a chlamydial challenge and an accelerated resolution of infection. 100% of pcDNA3.1-pORF5 vaccinated mice successfully resolved the infection by day 24. pcDNA3.1-pORF5-immunized mice also exhibited protection against patho- logical consequences of chlamydial infection. The stimulated index was significantly higher than that of mice immunized with pcDNA3.1 and PBS (P<0.05). Together, these results demonstrated that immu- nization with pORF5 DNA vaccine is a promising approach for eliciting a protective immunity against a genital chlamydial challenge.
文摘The objective of this multicentric study was to assess the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma génitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis infections in Brazzaville, in the Republic of Congo, using molecular methods. From January to December 2021, the sexually transmitted disease risk participants were recruited from six centers: The Association of Young HIV-Positive People of Congo, The Congolese Association for Family Welfare, The Association for Support to Vulnerable Groups, Talangaï hospital, Brazzaville university hospital (outpatient service) and the private clinic COGEMO (outpatient service). The real-time multiplex PCR was carried out to detect these pathogens. Each patient had at least one specimen (urine, urethral, anal and/or vaginal samples). The patients were considered infected when one of their samples was positive. 287 participants made of 227 women and 60 men were tested. The general prevalence of these infections was: Chlamydia trachomatis 2.79%, Neisseria gonorrhoeae 3.14%, Mycoplasma génitalium 3.45% and Trichomonas vaginalis 2.97. The prevalence rates according to sex were: C. trachomatis, M. génitalium, N. gonorrhea and T. vaginalis were 1.32%, 2.05%, 1.32% and 3.42% in women and 8.33%, 7.02%, 10% and 1.75% in men, respectively. Most infected patients were asymptomatic. Prevalence rates were higher in bisexual individuals, with the exception of T. vaginalis which showed higher prevalence in heterosexual patients. The bisexual and homosexual individuals represent a major public health problem in sexually active young adults, particularly among men having sex with men. These sexually transmitted infections are mainly asymptomatic, their diagnosis and management remain difficult in developing countries.
文摘AIM：To determine the possibility of the development of dry eye disease（DED） as a result of persistent infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in the conjunctiva of patients.METHODS： This study was conducted on 58 patients of age range 20-50 y,diagnosed with DED confirmed by Schirmer I test and tear breakup time.The non-dry eye control group included 27 subjects of the same age.Ocular specimens were collected as conjunctival scrapings and swabs divided into three groups： the first used for bacterial culture,the second and third taken to detect Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum by direct fluorescent antibody（DFA） assay and polymerase chain reaction（PCR） method. RESULTS： Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 65.5% and 76% of DED patients by DFA and PCR methods respectively.Ureaplasma urealyticum was found in 44.8% of DED infected patients using the PCR method.Both organisms were identified in only 37.9% of DED patients found to be infected.Control subjects had a 22%detection rate of Chlamydia trachomatis by DFA assay versus a 7% detection rate by PCR; while Ureaplasma urealyticum was detected in 3.7% of the controls by PCR method.The conjunctival culture revealed that gram positive microorganisms represented 75% of isolates with coagulase negative Staphylococci the most common（50%） followed by Staphylococcus aureus（20%）,whereas gram negative microorganisms occurred in 25% of cases,isolating Moraxella spp.as the most frequent organism. CONCLUSION： Our results tend to point out that Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum were detected in a moderate percentage of patients with DED,and could be a fair possibility for its development.PCR is more reliable in detecting Chlamydia trachomatis than DFA technique.The presence of isolated conjunctival bacterial microflora can be of some potential value.
基金This work was supported by a grant from the Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31370211).
文摘Chlamydia trachomatis （Ct） genital infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease （STD） in China and the US. The morbidity of Ct genital infection in China has increased from 32.48/100,000 in 2008 to 37.18/100,000 in 2015.[1] The major areas of Ct infections are concentrated in the Zhujiang Delta, Changjiang Delta, Minjiang Area, and West China. In these areas, the highest incidence of Ct infection reaches 615.99/100,000 citizens. In the US, there are 1,441,789 reported Ct, which include 627.2 females and 278.4 males per 100,000 population. It is now the most prevalent STD, with its rate increasing to 22% in males and 6% in females.[2] Ct genital infection can cause epididymitis, prostatitis, cervicitis, annexitis, infertility, and atopic pregnancy, which have been identified as the major public health problems.
文摘Trachoma is one of the most widespread blinding eye diseases, which is harmful to human visual health. The efforts to prevent and control trachoma in China can be divided into three periods, i.e., highly epidemic period, research on pathogenesis and control of trachoma, and blinding trachoma elimination and epidemiological evaluation. In 1956, Prof. Feifan Tang and Xiaolou Zhang first discovered and isolated Chlamydia trachomatis, which clarified the cause of trachoma, and kick-started a fresh chapter in trachoma research, prevention, and control around the world. Although, the prevalence of trachoma differed in different areas, the average prevalence once exceeded 50% and was as high as 90% in some areas before and at early liberation of China. Therefore, the government-led efforts were made to comprehensively prevent and control trachoma, including development of National Plan for the Prevention and Control of Trachoma, nationwide screening and treatment of trachoma, implementation of National Patriotic Health Campaign and improvement of water supply and lavatories. After decades of effort, China reached the goal of eliminating blinding trachoma in 2015. China has gained remarkable achievements in the prevention and treatment of trachoma, making outstanding contributions toward the goal of eliminating trachoma worldwide. The research, prevention, and control of trachoma in China were reviewed in this paper.
文摘<abstract>Aim: To relate the presence of anti-Chlamydial trachomatis IgA in semen with sperm lipid membrane peroxidation and changes in seminal parameters. Methods: Semen samples of the male partners of 52 couples assessed for undiagnosed infertility were examined for the presence of IgA antibody against C. trachomatis. The level of sperm membrane lipid peroxidation was estimated by determining the malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. Results: Sperm membrane of infertile males with positive IgA antibodies against C. trachomatis showed a higher level of lipid peroxidation than that of infertile males with negative IgA antibody (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation (P< 0.01) between the level of C. trachomatis antibody and the magnitude of sperm membrane lipid peroxidation. All the other tested semen parameters were found to be similar in the two groups. Conclusion: The activation of immune system by C. trachomatis may promote lipid peroxidation of the sperm membrane. This could be the way by which C. trachomatis affects fertility.
基金supported by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Initiative for Innovative Medicine (2016I2M-3–021)
文摘Objective:Laboratory capacity for Chlamydia trachomatis (C.trachomatis) detection is important in the diagnosis and treatment of C.trachomatis infection,appropriate clinical management of patients,and providing evidence for prevention programs.We conducted this study to assess laboratory capabilities for detecting C.trachomatis in China by analysis of external quality assessment (EQA) results from 2013 to 2018.Methods:Overall,310/1,048 (29.58%) laboratories at national sexually transmitted disease (STD) sentinel site with 252-272 laboratories per time participated in six times of EQA.Each laboratory was requested to test the samples from EQA organization by the common method used,and the test results were reported to EQA organization for assessment.Z test and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used for data analyses.Results:Immunochromatographic test,nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT),and ELISA were used and accounted for 76.69%,21.54%,1.77%,respectively of all participating laboratories from 2013 to 2018.The total specificity for negative samples was 94.76%,the sensitivity for positive samples with medium and high concentration of C.trachomatis samples were 94.31% and 95.51%,respectively,but the sensitivity for sample with low concentration of Co trachomatis was 36.89%,and the immunochromatographic test had the worst sensitivity for detection of this sample (21.17% [95% C/s:18.93%-23.60%]) among the three methods.Three factors were found to be significantly associated with the sensitivity of the low-concentration sample:the location of laboratories (East China:adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =2.98,95% C/s:1.69-5.25,P < 0.05;South China:AOR =3.34,95% CIs:1.38-5.48,P < 0.05;Southwest China:AOR=2.75,95% CIs:1.37-5.48,P<0.05,as compared with Northwest China);the types of hospitals (prevention and control agencies:AOR =0.56,95% CIs:0.40-0.80,P < 0.05,as compared with general hospitals);and the method used (NAAT:AOR=46.99,95% CIs:28.49-77.48,P< 0.050;ELISA:AOR=5.42,95% CIS:2.40-12.25,P<0.05,as compared with i
文摘Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis infections constitute a major public health problem, particularly in women. The objective of this study is to identify Chlamydia trachomatis to improve the health of women in the Department of Mayo-Boneye. Methodology: This is a prospective observational study that took place from October to December 2021, including 168 patients with their sociodemographic characteristics. The venous blood of the patients was collected in dry tubes and centrifuged to obtain the serum. The Chlamydia IgG Rapid Test Cassette was used for the detection of antibodies to Chlamydia infection. The Epi Info 7<sup>TM</sup> software was used to perform the statistical analyses. Results: A total of 168 patients were included in this study. The average age was 26.36 ± 9.21 years, the median was 25.5 years with the extremes of 14 years and 70 years. Among these patients, 46.43% were illiterate, 5.95% and 20.83% were primary and secondary school students, respectively, and 26.79% university students. For marital status, 66.67% were single, 16.67% married, 10.71% divorced and 5.95% widowed. Regarding the profession, 26.79% were traders, 8.93% were employees and 64.29% unemployed. In this study, the 168 patients had performed Chlamydia trachomatis serology among whom 02 (1.19%) were excluded for invalid results and 10.71% presented positive cases. The city of Bongor was the most infected with 61% of cases. Among these patients, 54.22% were linked to risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis. The most infected age group was between 25 and 35 with a seroprevalence of 5.36% of cases. Conclusion: In this study, Chlamydia trachomatis was positive for 10.71% of diagnosed cases. The most affected age groups are young, sexually active women. The State should emphasize the screening of women, the awareness of students and academics.
文摘To study the molecular characteristics of Chlamydia trachomatis, the major outer membrane protein gene(omp A) of C. trachomatis from primary school students with trachoma residing in the Qinghai Tibetan area was sequenced and compared with the same serotype in Gen Bank. In Jianshetang Primary School and Galeng Central Primary School in the Galeng Tibetan Township of Qinghai Haidong Sala Autonomous County, scraped samples were collected from the upper tarsal conjunctiva and lower conjunctival sac of both eyes of 45 students with trachoma, stored at 4°C, and transported to Beijing Tongren Hospital by air within 24 h. The samples were screened for C. trachomatis by real-time PCR. The omp A gene from the C. trachomatis-positive samples was amplified by nested PCR. The serotype was confirmed by National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI) BLAST search and homology analysis. The entire omp A gene sequence was compared with the corresponding gene sequences of serotype B strains available in Gen Bank. Of the 45 students aged 6–13 years with trachoma, 26 C. trachomatis-positive students were identified by the initial real-time PCR screening(average age,(9.09±1.63) years; sex ratio, 1.0), accounting for 57.78%(26/45). The cycle threshold values for real-time PCR were 16.79–37.77. Half(13/26) of C. trachomatis-positive students had a bacterial copy number of >105. The compliance rate of the omp A gene sequences with the C. trachomatis serotype B strains in Gen Bank was up to 99%. Two novel genetic mutations were found when the omp A gene was compared with those of the 11 serotype B strains in Gen Bank. The two non-synonymous mutations were located at(i) position 271 in the second constant domain, an adenine(A) to guanine(G) substitution(ACT?GCT), changing the amino acid at position 91 from threonine to alanine(Thr?Ala) in all 26 strains; and(ii) position 887 in the fourth variable domain, a cytosine(C) to thymine(T) substitution(GCA?GTA), changing the amino acid at residue 296 from alanine to valine(Ala?Val) in
文摘Objective To review the common genotyping techniques of Chlamydia trachomatis in terms of their principles,characteristics,applications and limitations.Data sources Data used in this review were mainly from English literatures of PubMed database.The search terms were ＂Chlamydia trachomatis＂ and ＂genotyping＂.Meanwhile,data from World Health Organization were also cited.Study selection Original articles and reviews relevant to present review＇s theme were selected.Results Different genotyping techniques were applied on different occasions according to their characteristics,especially in epidemiological studies worldwide,which pushed the study of Chlamydia trachomatis forward greatly.In addition,summaries of some epidemiological studies by genotyping were also included in this work for reference and comparison.Conclusions A clear understanding of common genotyping techniques could be helpful to genotype C.trachomatis more appropriately and effectively.Furthermore,more studies on the association of genotypes of Ch/amydia trachomatis with clinical manifestations should be performed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 30970165 and 81102230)the Hunan Provincial Natu-ral Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 09JJ3059)the Team Project for the Technology Innovation of Higher Education of Hunan Province,China
文摘The inclusion membrane proteins play potentially important roles in chlamydial biology and pathogenesis.Here we localized and characterized the hypothetical protein CT440 in Chlamydia trachomatis-infected cells.The open reading frame(ORF) encoding the CT440 protein from the C.trachomatis serovar D genome was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-6p and expressed as a glutathione-S-transferase(GST) fusion protein in E.coli XL1-Blue.The CT440 fusion protein was used to immunize mice to raise antigen-specific antibody.After verification by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay(IFA),the specific antibody was used to localize the endogenous CT440 protein and to detect its expression pattern in Chlamydia-infected cells.Cytosolic expression of CT440 in HeLa cells was also carried out to evaluate the effect of the CT440 protein on the subsequent chlamydial infection.The results showed that the hypothetical protein CT440 was localized in the C.trachomatis inclusion membrane,and was detectable 12 h after chlamydial infection.Expression of CT440 in the cytoplasm did not inhibit the subsequent chlamydial infection.In summary,we have identified a new inclusion membrane protein that may be an important candidate for understanding C.trachomatis pathogenesis.
文摘AIM： To determine the frequency of detection of ocular and extraocular Chlamydia trachomatis （CT） infection in non -high myopes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment （RRD）. METHODS： This was a single-center, nonrandomized, prospective, case-control study. One hundred and four patients were divided into a study group with RRD （n= 63） and a control group with traumatic retinal detachment （n=41）. Samples of subretinal fluid （SFR）, conjunctival, urethral/cervical swabs, and blood were collected. The frequency of detection of CT infection in SRF samples was determined by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）, direct fluorescence assay （DFA） and cell culture, whereas that in conjunctival swabs was determined by PCR and DFA, and those in urethral/cervical swabs and blood were determined by DFA. Yates Chi-square test （with Bonferroni correction） and two-tailed Student＇s t-test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS： SRF CT infection was detected more frequently in the study group （50.8%-71.4%） than in the control group （9.8%-12.2%） by all the methods used （P〈 0.01）. The frequency of detection of conjunctival CT infection by DFA was higher in the RRD patients compared with the controls （81.0% vs 24.4%, P=0.004）. The PCR detected conjunctival CT infection more often in the study group than in the controls （46.0% vs89.8%, P= 0.007）. The DFA detected CT in blood specimens almost as frequently as in urogenital specimens, for the RRD patients （61.2% vs 63.5%） and the controls （7.3% vs 9.8%）. CONCLUSION： CT infection is detected with high frequency in non-high myopes with RRD.
文摘AIMTo determine the association between chlamydial conjunctivitis and genital infection by Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Candida albicans, in addition to the possible relationship between cultured bacterial pathogens and oculogenital chlamydial infection.METHODSThis study was performed on 100 (50 symptomatic and 50 asymptomatic) women attending the Gynecological and Obstetric outpatient clinic of Alzahra hospital, Alazhar University. Simultaneously a conjunctival swab was taken from these patients. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done on DNA extracted from both vaginal and conjunctival swab samples. Culture for both vaginal and conjunctival swabs was also done.RESULTSCandida albicans was the predominant organism isolated by culture in 20% and 40% of conjunctival and vaginal swabs respectively. By the PCR method, ocular Chlamydia trachomatis was present in 60% of symptomatic women, while genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection was present in 30% of symptomatic women. The results of this method also indicated that 25/50 (50%) vaginal swabs were positive with PCR for Candida albicans versus 15/50 (30%) were PCR positive in conjunctival swab. Mycoplasma genitalium was present in only 10% of vaginal swabs. Concomitant oculogenital PCR positive results for Chlamydia trachomatis and Candida albicans were 30% and 28% respectively.CONCLUSIONOcular Chlamydia trachomatis was associated with genital Chlamydia trachomatis in a high percentage of women followed by Candida albicans. Cultured bacterial organisms do not play a role in enhancement of Chlamydia trachomatis infection.
