title: Genotyping of Chlamydia trachomatis would improve contact tracing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The reported number of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infections has increased 15% annually since 1997 in Sweden. Inaccurate partner notification might be one reason.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goals were to determine if genotyping of C trachomatis would improve partner notification and to study the duration of infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sexual networks were constructed. C trachomatis isolates from 231 individuals attending the Orebro STD clinic during 1 year were typed by sequencing of the omp1 gene.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All individuals were traced and diagnoses were established in 30 of 161 networks. More than one genotype was seen in seven networks. The mean duration of C trachomatis infection in each network was calculated to be 23 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genotyping could be a useful tool in partner notification when there are discrepant or uncommon genotypes. Limited clinic catchment areas create information difficulties that obstruct accurate contact tracing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. lars.falk@orebroll.se
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Falk
authors.forename: Margret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindberg
authors.forename: Margaretha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jurstrand
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bäckman
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Olcén
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fredlund
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016358:Contact Tracing / Q000379:methods*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018272:Porins / Q000235:genetics; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D018272:Porins; C071677:omp1 protein, Chlamydia trachomatis