title: Chlamydia trachomatis genotypes in a cross-sectional study of urogenital samples from remote Northern and Central Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to determine the frequency of trachoma genotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis-positive urogenital tract (UGT) specimens from remote areas of the Australian Northern Territory (NT).
  
  
  METHODS
  The setting was analysis of remnants of C. trachomatis positive primarily UGT specimens obtained in the course of clinical practice. The specimens were obtained from two pathology service providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 3356 C. trachomatis specimens collected during May 2012-April 2013, 439 were selected for genotyping, with a focus on specimens from postpubescent patients, in remote Aboriginal communities where ocular trachoma is potentially present.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome measure was the proportion of successfully genotyped UGT specimens that were trachoma genotypes. The secondary outcome measures were the distribution of genotypes, and the frequencies of different classes of specimens able to be genotyped.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Zero of 217 successfully genotyped UGT specimens yielded trachoma genotypes (95% CI for frequency=0-0.017). For UGT specimens, the genotypes were E (41%), F (22%), D (21%) and K (7%), with J, H and G and mixed genotypes each at 1-4%. Four of the five genotyped eye swabs yielded trachoma genotype Ba, and the other genotype J. Two hundred twenty-two specimens (50.6%) were successfully genotyped. Urine specimens were less likely to be typable than vaginal swabs (p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unlike in some other studies, in the remote NT, trachoma genotypes of C. trachomatis were not found circulating in UGT specimens from 2012 to 2013. Therefore, C. trachomatis genotypes in UGT specimens from young children can be informative as to whether the organism has been acquired through sexual contact. We suggest inclusion of C. trachomatis genotyping in guidelines examining the source of sexually transmitted infections in young children in areas where trachoma genotypes may continue to circulate, and continued surveillance of UGT C. trachomatis genotypes.
authors.affiliation: Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia School of Psychological and Clinical Sciences, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Philip M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Giffard
authors.affiliation: Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia Forensic Science Branch-Biology, Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicole C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department of Microbiology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Sepehr N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Tabrizi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department of Microbiology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Garland
authors.affiliation: Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Deborah C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.affiliation: Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Patiyan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.affiliation: Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachael A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lilliebridge
authors.affiliation: Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Steven Y C
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Western Diagnostic Pathology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Mahdad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.affiliation: Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Darwin), Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Prudence
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boylan
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia Centre for Disease Control, Darwin, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ryder
authors.affiliation: Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Darwin), Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia Clinical Forensic Medical Services, Australian Capital Territory Government, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Johns
authors.affiliation: Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Darwin), Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia Northern Territory Medical Program, Flinders University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia Child Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Gurmeet
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: SEXUAL MEDICINE