Genotyping of Chlamydia trachomatis would improve contact tracing.
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.
Falk
Lars
L
Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. lars.falk@orebroll.se
Lindberg
Margret
M
Jurstrand
Margaretha
M
Bäckman
Anders
A
Olcén
Per
P
Fredlund
Hans
H
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
D017931:DNA Primers; D018272:Porins; C071677:omp1 protein, Chlamydia trachomatis