title: Plasmid copy number and disease severity in naturally occurring ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infection.
abstract: The Chlamydia trachomatis plasmid is a virulence factor. Plasmid copy number, C. trachomatis load and disease severity were assessed in a treatment-naive population where trachoma is hyperendemic. By using droplet digital PCR, plasmid copy number was found to be stable (median, 5.34 [range, 1 to 18]) and there were no associations with C. trachomatis load or disease severity.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anna R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Last
authors.forename: Chrissy h
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Eunice
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cassama
authors.forename: Meno
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nabicassa
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Molina-Gonzalez
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Burr
authors.forename: David C W
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Mabey
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Holland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005260:Female; D018628:Gene Dosage; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010957:Plasmids; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014141:Trachoma / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D014774:Virulence; D055815:Young Adult