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Peuchant O, Laurier-Nadalié C, Albucher L, Balcon C, Dolzy A, Hénin N, Touati A, Bébéar C. Anorectal lymphogranuloma venereum among men who have sex with men: a 3-year nationwide survey, France, 2020 to 2022. Euro Surveill 2024; 29:2300520. [PMID: 38726697 PMCID: PMC11083974 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2024.29.19.2300520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BackgroundIn France, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) testing switched from universal to selective testing in 2016.AimTo investigate changes in LGV-affected populations, we performed a nationwide survey based on temporarily reinstated universal LGV testing from 2020 to 2022.MethodsEach year, during three consecutive months, laboratories voluntarily sent anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis-positive samples from men and women to the National Reference Centre for bacterial sexually transmitted infections. We collected patients' demographic, clinical and biological data. Genovars L of C. trachomatis were detected using real-time PCR. In LGV-positive samples, the ompA gene was sequenced.ResultsIn 2020, LGV positivity was 12.7% (146/1,147), 15.2% (138/907) in 2021 and 13.3% (151/1,137) in 2022 (p > 0.05). It occurred predominantly in men who have sex with men (MSM), with rare cases among transgender women. The proportion of HIV-negative individuals was higher than that of those living with HIV. Asymptomatic rectal LGV increased from 36.1% (44/122) in 2020 to 52.4% (66/126) in 2022 (p = 0.03). Among users of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), LGV positivity was 13.8% (49/354) in 2020, 15.6% (38/244) in 2021 and 10.9% (36/331) in 2022, and up to 50% reported no anorectal symptoms. Diversity of the LGV ompA genotypes in the Paris region increased during the survey period. An unexpectedly high number of ompA genotype L1 variant was reported in 2022.ConclusionIn rectal samples from MSM in France, LGV positivity was stable, but the proportion of asymptomatic cases increased in 2022. This underscores the need of universal LGV testing and the importance of continuous surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Peuchant
- Bordeaux University Hospital Center, Department of Bacteriology, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
- Univ. Bordeaux, UMR 5334 CNRS Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité (MFP), ARMYNE, Bordeaux, France
| | - Cécile Laurier-Nadalié
- Bordeaux University Hospital Center, Department of Bacteriology, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
| | - Laura Albucher
- Bordeaux University Hospital Center, Department of Bacteriology, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
| | - Carla Balcon
- Bordeaux University Hospital Center, Department of Bacteriology, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
| | - Amandine Dolzy
- Bordeaux University Hospital Center, Department of Bacteriology, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
| | - Nadège Hénin
- Univ. Bordeaux, UMR 5334 CNRS Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité (MFP), ARMYNE, Bordeaux, France
| | - Arabella Touati
- Bordeaux University Hospital Center, Department of Bacteriology, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
| | - Cécile Bébéar
- Bordeaux University Hospital Center, Department of Bacteriology, National Reference Centre for bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
- Univ. Bordeaux, UMR 5334 CNRS Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité (MFP), ARMYNE, Bordeaux, France
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Li Q, Jansen H, Hansen G, Nurjadi D, Herrmann J, Stadler M, Brönstrup M, Müller R, He C, Graspeuntner S, Rupp J, Shima K. Inhibitory effect of sorangicin A against mutant DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2024; 63:107132. [PMID: 38432602 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hendrik Jansen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Guido Hansen
- Institute of Biochemistry, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Dennis Nurjadi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jennifer Herrmann
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, and Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marc Stadler
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany; Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mark Brönstrup
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany; Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, and Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Cheng He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Simon Graspeuntner
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jan Rupp
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Kensuke Shima
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
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Strange N, Luu L, Ong V, Wee BA, Phillips MJA, McCaughey L, Steele JR, Barlow CK, Cranfield CG, Myers G, Mazraani R, Rock C, Timms P, Huston WM. HtrA, fatty acids, and membrane protein interplay in Chlamydia trachomatis to impact stress response and trigger early cellular exit. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0037123. [PMID: 38445896 PMCID: PMC11025325 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00371-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that undergoes a biphasic developmental cycle, consisting of intracellular reticulate bodies and extracellular infectious elementary bodies. A conserved bacterial protease, HtrA, was shown previously to be essential for Chlamydia during the reticulate body phase, using a novel inhibitor (JO146). In this study, isolates selected for the survival of JO146 treatment were found to have polymorphisms in the acyl-acyl carrier protein synthetase gene (aasC). AasC encodes the enzyme responsible for activating fatty acids from the host cell or synthesis to be incorporated into lipid bilayers. The isolates had distinct lipidomes with varied fatty acid compositions. A reduction in the lipid compositions that HtrA prefers to bind to was detected, yet HtrA and MOMP (a key outer membrane protein) were present at higher levels in the variants. Reduced progeny production and an earlier cellular exit were observed. Transcriptome analysis identified that multiple genes were downregulated in the variants especially stress and DNA processing factors. Here, we have shown that the fatty acid composition of chlamydial lipids, HtrA, and membrane proteins interplay and, when disrupted, impact chlamydial stress response that could trigger early cellular exit. IMPORTANCE Chlamydia trachomatis is an important obligate intracellular pathogen that has a unique biphasic developmental cycle. HtrA is an essential stress or virulence protease in many bacteria, with many different functions. Previously, we demonstrated that HtrA is critical for Chlamydia using a novel inhibitor. In the present study, we characterized genetic variants of Chlamydia trachomatis with reduced susceptibility to the HtrA inhibitor. The variants were changed in membrane fatty acid composition, outer membrane proteins, and transcription of stress genes. Earlier and more synchronous cellular exit was observed. Combined, this links stress response to fatty acids, membrane proteins, and HtrA interplay with the outcome of disrupted timing of chlamydial cellular exit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Strange
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Laurence Luu
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vanissa Ong
- Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bryan A. Wee
- Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. A. Phillips
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Laura McCaughey
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Joel R. Steele
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K. Barlow
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charles G. Cranfield
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Garry Myers
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rami Mazraani
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Charles Rock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Peter Timms
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
| | - Wilhelmina M. Huston
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
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Bazzo ML, Machado HDM, Martins JM, Schörner MA, Buss K, Barazzetti FH, Gaspar PC, Bigolin A, Benzaken A, de Carvalho SVF, Andrade LDF, Ferreira WA, Figueiroa F, Fontana RM, da Silva MFDCR, Silva RJC, Aires Junior LF, Neves LADS, Miranda AE, Network BG. Aetiological molecular identification of sexually transmitted infections that cause urethral discharge syndrome and genital ulcer disease in Brazilian men: a nationwide study. Sex Transm Infect 2024; 100:133-137. [PMID: 38360847 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2023-055950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the aetiology of urethral discharge syndrome (UDS) and genital ulcer disease (GUD) in Brazil due to limited access to laboratory tests and treatment based mainly on the syndromic approach. OBJECTIVES To update Brazilian treatment guidelines according to the current scenario, the first nationwide aetiological study for UDS and GUD was performed. METHODS Male participants with urethral discharge (UD) and/or genital ulcer (GU) reports were enrolled. Sample collection was performed by 12 sentinel sites located in the five Brazilian regions. Between 2018 and 2020, 1141 UD and 208 GU samples were collected in a Universal Transport Medium-RT (Copan). A multiplex quantitative PCR kit (Seegene) was used to detect UD: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), M. hominis (MH), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), Ureaplasma parvum (UP), U. urealyticum (UU) and another kit to detect GU: cytomegalovirus (CMV), Haemophilus ducreyi (HD), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), Treponema pallidum (TP) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). RESULTS In UD samples, the frequency of pathogen detection was NG: 78.38%, CT: 25.6%, MG: 8.3%, UU: 10.4%, UP: 3.5%, MH: 3.5% and TV: 0.9%. Coinfection was assessed in 30.9% of samples, with 14.3% of NG/CT coinfection. The most frequent pathogen identified in GU was HSV2, present in 40.8% of the samples, followed by TP at 24.8%, LGV and CMV at 1%, and HSV1 at 0.4%. Coinfection of TP/HSV2 was detected in 4.4% of samples. VZV and HD were not detected. In 27.7% of the GU samples, no pathogen was detected. CONCLUSION This study provided the acquisition of unprecedented data on the aetiology of UDS and GUD in Brazil, demonstrated the presence of a variety of pathogens in both sample types and reaffirmed the aetiologies known to be most prevalent globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luiza Bazzo
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Pharmacy Post Graduate Program, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Serology Laboratory-LBMMS, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Hanalydia de Melo Machado
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Pharmacy Post Graduate Program, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Serology Laboratory-LBMMS, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Jessica Motta Martins
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Pharmacy Post Graduate Program, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Serology Laboratory-LBMMS, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Marcos André Schörner
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Pharmacy Post Graduate Program, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Serology Laboratory-LBMMS, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Ketlyn Buss
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Pharmacy Post Graduate Program, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Serology Laboratory-LBMMS, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Fernando Hartmann Barazzetti
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Pharmacy Post Graduate Program, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Serology Laboratory-LBMMS, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Pamela Cristina Gaspar
- Department of Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis, Secretariat of Health Surveillance, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Alisson Bigolin
- Department of Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis, Secretariat of Health Surveillance, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Adele Benzaken
- Leônidas e Maria Deane Institute Fiocruz Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Angelica Espinosa Miranda
- Department of Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis, Secretariat of Health Surveillance, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
| | - Brazilian-Gasp Network
- Department of Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis, Secretariat of Health Surveillance, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Brazilian GASP, Florianópolis, Brazil
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5
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Zhou Q, Li J, Luo L, Min S, Wang L, Peng L, Hou Y, He P, He S, Tang S, Chen H. Characterization of genital chlamydia trachomatis infection among women attending infertility and gynecology clinics in Hunan, China. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:405. [PMID: 38622501 PMCID: PMC11020174 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09254-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is a major public health issue worldwide. It can lead to cervicitis, urethritis, and infertility. This study was conducted to determine the characteristics of genital C. trachomatis infection among women attending to the infertility and gynecology clinics. METHODS Endocervical swabs were collected from 8,221 women for C. trachomatis nucleotide screening and genotyping, while serum samples were collected for C. trachomatis pgp3 antibody determination using luciferase immunosorbent assays. RESULTS High C. trachomatis DNA prevalence (3.76%) and seroprevalence (47.46%) rates were found, with genotype E (27.5%) being the most prevalent. C. trachomatis omp1 sense mutation was associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) (odds ratio [OR] = 6.033, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.219-39.185, p = 0.045). No significant differences in C. trachomatis seroprevalence rates were observed between women with detectable C. trachomatis DNA in the infertility and routine physical examination groups (86.67% vs. 95%, p > 0.05); however, among women with negative C. trachomatis DNA, the former group had a markedly higher seroprevalence than the latter group (56.74% vs. 20.17%, p < 0.001). C. trachomatis DNA, but not pgp3 antibody, was significantly associated with CIN (OR = 4.087, 95% CI = 2.284-7.315, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our results revealed a high prevalence, particularly seroprevalence, of C. trachomatis among women with infertility. Furthermore, we found an association between C. trachomatis omp1 sense mutations and CIN. Therefore, C. trachomatis serves as a risk factor for CIN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianting Zhou
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Jiayan Li
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Lipei Luo
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
- Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuling Min
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Lixiu Peng
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Yinglan Hou
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Ping He
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Song He
- Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shixing Tang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hongliang Chen
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China.
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Aguilera-Franco M, Tarriño-León M, Olivares-Durán MJ, Espadafor B, Rodríguez-Granger J, Reguera JA, Cobo F, Sampedro A, Navarro JM. Evaluation of a new CT/NG/TV/MG Real-Time PCR Kit (Vircell) versus the Allplex STI Essential Assay (Seegene) for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections. J Med Microbiol 2024; 73. [PMID: 38591530 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a public health problem. Real-time PCR assays are the most sensitive test for screening and diagnosis of these infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new CT/NG/TV/MG Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) kit (Vircell) for the detection of Chamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis for the diagnosis of sexual transmitted infections using the Allplex STI Essential Assay (Seegene) as the reference's method. A total of 497 samples from different anatomical sites (endocervical, urethral, rectal, pharyngeal and urine) were analysed from October 2022 to February 2023. A total of 108 (21.73 %) and 106 (21.33 %) positive samples were found for any of the assays used. The most commonly detected pathogen was N. gonorrhoeae (52 samples; 10.46 %), and the least commonly detected was T. vaginalis (three samples; 0.60 %). The anatomical site with the highest prevalence of micro-organisms was a non-urogenital site, the pharynx (26 positive samples; 5.23 %). Using the Allplex STI Essential Assay (Seegene) as the reference method, the diagnosis performance showed that the average specificity of CT/NG/TV/MG RT-PCR Kit (Vircell) was 99.84 % and the sensitivity was 99.53 %. The overall concordance was k=0.98 (CI95 %; 0.96-1). In conclusion, the CT/NG/TV/MG RT-PCR Kit (Vircell) assay shows a good sensitivity and specificity and constitutes a promising and additional alternative to routine procedures for distinct types of clinical specimen in diagnosis STI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Tarriño-León
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - M J Olivares-Durán
- Clinical Analysis Service, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Beatriz Espadafor
- Dermatology Service, Centro de ETS, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Juan Antonio Reguera
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Fernando Cobo
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Antonio Sampedro
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - José María Navarro
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
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7
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Harte AJ, Ghasemian E, Pickering H, Houghton J, Chernet A, Sata E, Yismaw G, Zeru T, Tadesse Z, Callahan EK, Nash SD, Holland MJ. Unravelling Chlamydia trachomatis diversity in Amhara, Ethiopia: MLVA-ompA sequencing as a molecular typing tool for trachoma. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012143. [PMID: 38662795 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide and is now largely confined to around 40 low- and middle-income countries. It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), a contagious intracellular bacterium. The World Health Organization recommends mass drug administration (MDA) with azithromycin for treatment and control of ocular Ct infections, alongside improving facial cleanliness and environmental conditions to reduce transmission. To understand the molecular epidemiology of trachoma, especially in the context of MDA and transmission dynamics, the identification of Ct genotypes could be useful. While many studies have used the Ct major outer membrane protein gene (ompA) for genotyping, it has limitations. Our study applies a typing system novel to trachoma, Multiple Loci Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis combined with ompA (MLVA-ompA). Ocular swabs were collected post-MDA from four trachoma-endemic zones in Ethiopia between 2011-2017. DNA from 300 children with high Ct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) loads was typed using MLVA-ompA, utilizing 3 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci within the Ct genome. Results show that MLVA-ompA exhibited high discriminatory power (0.981) surpassing the recommended threshold for epidemiological studies. We identified 87 MLVA-ompA variants across 26 districts. No significant associations were found between variants and clinical signs or chlamydial load. Notably, overall Ct diversity significantly decreased after additional MDA rounds, with a higher proportion of serovar A post-MDA. Despite challenges in sequencing one VNTR locus (CT1299), MLVA-ompA demonstrated cost-effectiveness and efficiency relative to whole genome sequencing, providing valuable information for trachoma control programs on local epidemiology. The findings suggest the potential of MLVA-ompA as a reliable tool for typing ocular Ct and understanding transmission dynamics, aiding in the development of targeted interventions for trachoma control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J Harte
- The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ehsan Ghasemian
- The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harry Pickering
- The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Houghton
- The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Taye Zeru
- The Amhara Regional Health Bureau, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | | | | | - Scott D Nash
- The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Martin J Holland
- The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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8
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Sánchez D, Ferrer J, Giménez E, Torres I, Carretero D, Alcaraz MJ, Castaño MJ, Navarro D, Albert E. Genotypic study of Chlamydia trachomatis for lymphogranuloma venereum diagnosis in rectal specimens from men who have sex with men: a cost-effectiveness analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:298. [PMID: 38454329 PMCID: PMC10918947 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09185-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The significant proportion of asymptomatic patients and the scarcity of genotypic analysis of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), mainly among men who have sex with men (MSM), triggers a high incidence of underdiagnosed patients, highlighting the importance of determining the most appropriate strategy for LGV diagnosis, at both clinical and economical levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted L1-L3 serovar detection by molecular biology in stored Chlamydia trachomatis-positive samples from MSM patients with HIV, another STI or belonging to a Pre-exposure prophylaxis program, to make a cost effectiveness study of four diagnostic strategies with a clinical, molecular, or mixed approach. RESULTS A total of 85 exudates were analyzed: 35urethral (31 symptomatic/4 positive) and 50 rectal (22 symptomatic/25 positive), 70/85 belonging to MSM with associated risk factors. The average cost per patient was €77.09 and €159.55 for clinical (Strategy I) and molecular (Strategy IV) strategies respectively. For molecular diagnosis by genotyping of all rectal exudate samples previously positive for CT (Strategy II), the cost was €123.84. For molecular diagnosis by genotyping of rectal and/or urethral exudate samples from all symptomatic patients (proctitis or urethritis) with a previous positive result for CT (Strategy III), the cost was €129.39. The effectiveness ratios were 0.80, 0.95, 0.91, and 1.00 for each strategy respectively. The smallest ICER was €311.67 for Strategy II compared to Strategy I. CONCLUSIONS With 30% asymptomatic patients, the most cost-effective strategy was based on genotyping all rectal exudates. With less restrictive selection criteria, thus increasing the number of patients with negative results, the most sensitive strategies tend to be the most cost-effective, but with a high incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sánchez
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario, INCLIVA Research institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Josep Ferrer
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario, INCLIVA Research institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Estela Giménez
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario, INCLIVA Research institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ignacio Torres
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario, INCLIVA Research institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Diego Carretero
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario, INCLIVA Research institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Jesús Alcaraz
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario, INCLIVA Research institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Jesús Castaño
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario, INCLIVA Research institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - David Navarro
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario, INCLIVA Research institute, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eliseo Albert
- Microbiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario, INCLIVA Research institute, Valencia, Spain.
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Pflüger LS, Nörz D, Grunwald M, Pfefferle S, Giersch K, Christner M, Weber B, Aepfelbacher M, Rohde H, Lütgehetmann M. Analytical and clinical validation of a multiplex PCR assay for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis including simultaneous LGV serotyping on an automated high-throughput PCR system. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0275623. [PMID: 38345391 PMCID: PMC10913481 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02756-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
For effective infection control measures for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), a reliable tool for screening and diagnosis is essential. Here, we aimed to establish and validate a multiplex PCR assay on an automated system using a dual-target approach for the detection of CT/NG and differentiation between lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and non-LGV from genital and extra-genital specimens. Published primer/probe sets (CT: pmpH, cryptic plasmid; NG: porA, opa) were modified for the cobas 5800/6800/8800. Standards quantified by digital PCR were used to determine linearity and lower limit of detection (LLoD; eSwab, urine). For clinical validation, prospective samples (n = 319) were compared with a CE-marked in vitro diagnostics (CE-IVD) assay. LLoDs ranged from 21.8 to 244 digital copies (dcp)/mL and 10.8 to 277 dcp/mL in swab and urine, respectively. A simple linear regression analysis yielded slopes ranging from -4.338 to -2.834 and Pearson correlation coefficients from 0.956 to 0.994. Inter- and intra-run variability was <0.5 and <1 cycle threshold (ct), respectively. No cross-reactivity was observed (n = 42). Clinical validation showed a sensitivity of 94.74% (95% confidence interval (CI): 87.23%-97.93%) and 95.51% (95% CI: 89.01%-98.24%), a specificity of 99.59% (95% CI: 97.71%-99.98%) and 99.57% (95% CI: 97.58%-99.98%), positive predictive values of 89.91% (estimated prevalence: 3.7%; 95% CI: 80.91%-95.6%) and 88.61% (estimated prevalence: 3.4%; 95% CI: 80.18%-94.34%), and negative predictive values of 99.81% (95% CI: 98.14%-100%) and 99.85% (95% CI: 98.14%-100%) for the detection of CT and NG, respectively. In conclusion, we established a dual-target, internally controlled PCR on an automated system for the detectiwon of CT/NG from genital and extra-genital specimens. Depending on local regulations, the assay can be used as a screening or a confirmatory/typing assay.IMPORTANCEChlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) represent a major global health burden, with the World Health Organization estimating that >128 million and >82 million people, respectively, were newly infected in 2020. For effective infection control measures, a reliable tool for sensitive diagnosis and screening of CT/NG is essential. We established a multiplex PCR assay for the detection of CT/NG and simultaneous discrimination between lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and non-LGV strains, which has been validated for genital and extra-genital specimens on a fully automated system. To increase assay sensitivity, a dual-target approach has been chosen for both pathogens. This strategy reduces false-positive results in oropharyngeal swabs due to the detection of commensal N. species that may harbor NG DNA fragments targeted in the PCR due to horizontal gene transmission following previous infection. In sum, the established assay provides a powerful tool for use as either a screening/diagnostic or a typing/confirmatory assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sophie Pflüger
- Center for Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Nörz
- Center for Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Moritz Grunwald
- Center for Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Pfefferle
- Center for Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katja Giersch
- Center for Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Christner
- Center for Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Beatrice Weber
- Center for Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Aepfelbacher
- Center for Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Holger Rohde
- Center for Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems Site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marc Lütgehetmann
- Center for Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems Site, Hamburg, Germany
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10
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Shephard M, Matthews S, Kularatne R, Andrewartha K, Blondeel K, Alvarez C, Camey E, Hançali A, Müller E, Haw A, Oumzil H, Golparian D, Ramirez DE, Kiarie J, Kurbonov F, Mirandola M, Peeling RW, Silva R, Thwin SS, Unemo M, Toskin I. Independent clinic-based evaluation of point-of-care testing for the screening of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoea and Trichomonas vaginalis in women-at-risk in Australia, Guatemala, Morocco, and South Africa. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:277. [PMID: 38438953 PMCID: PMC10910521 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09018-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2018, the World Health Organization commenced a multi-country validation study of the Cepheid GeneXpert for a range of molecular-based point-of-care (POC) tests in primary care settings. One study arm focused on the evaluation of POC tests for screening 'women at risk' for chlamydia (CT), gonorrhoea (NG) and trichomonas (TV) in four countries - Australia, Guatemala, Morocco and South Africa. METHODS Study participants completed a pre-test questionnaire which included demographics, clinical information and general questions on POC testing (POCT). Two vaginal swab samples (either self-collected or clinician collected) from each patient were tested on the GeneXpert at the POC and at a reference laboratory using quality-assured nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). RESULTS One thousand three hundred and eighty-three women were enrolled: 58.6% from South Africa, 29.2% from Morocco, 6.2% from Guatemala, and 6.0% from Australia. 1296 samples for CT/NG and 1380 samples for TV were tested by the GeneXpert and the reference NAAT. The rate of unsuccessful tests on the GeneXpert was 1.9% for CT, 1.5% for NG and 0.96% for TV. The prevalence of CT, NG and TV was 31%, 13% and 23%, respectively. 1.5% of samples were positive for all three infections; 7.8% were positive for CT and NG; 2.4% were positive for NG and TV; and 7.3% were positive for CT and TV. Compared to reference NAATs, pooled estimates of sensitivity for the GeneXpert tests were 83.7% (95% confidence intervals 69.2-92.1) for CT, 90.5% (85.1-94.1) for NG and 64.7% (58.1-70.7) for TV (although estimates varied considerably between countries). Estimates for specificity were ≥96% for all three tests both within- and between-countries. Pooled positive and negative likelihood ratios were: 32.7 ([CI] 21.2-50.5) and 0.17 (0.08-0.33) for CT; 95.3 (36.9-245.7) and 0.10 (0.06-0.15) for NG; and 56.5 (31.6-101.1) and 0.35 (0.27-0.47) for TV. CONCLUSION This multi-country evaluation is the first of its kind world-wide. Positive likelihood ratios, as well as specificity estimates, indicate the GeneXpert POC test results for CT, NG and TV were clinically acceptable for ruling in the presence of disease. However, negative likelihood ratios and variable sensitivity estimates from this study were poorer than expected for ruling out these infections, particularly for TV. TRIAL REGISTRATION Ethics approval to conduct the ProSPeRo study was granted by the WHO Ethics Review Committee, as well as local ethics committees from all participating countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Shephard
- International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Susan Matthews
- International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ranmini Kularatne
- Centre for HIV & STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kelly Andrewartha
- International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Karel Blondeel
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Elsy Camey
- Sida y Sociedad, ONG (SISO), Escuintla, Guatemala
| | | | - Etienne Müller
- Centre for HIV & STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Aurelie Haw
- Médecins sans Frontières, Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Dorian E Ramirez
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - James Kiarie
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Firdavs Kurbonov
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Massimo Mirandola
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Rosanna W Peeling
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ronaldo Silva
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Soe Soe Thwin
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Igor Toskin
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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11
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Ngombe Mouabata DFL, Boumba ALM, Massengo NRB, Pouki FS, Moukassa D, Ennaji MM. Prevalence of co-infection with human papillomavirus and Chlamydia trachomatis and risk factors associated with cervical cancer in Congolese women. Microbes Infect 2024; 26:105287. [PMID: 38163457 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most frequently diagnosed viruses in developing countries. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is an important cofactor in HPV-induced cervical cancer. Cervico-uterine smears were taken for cytology, and a total of 131 samples were analysed. HPV prevalence and CT were detected using specific primers (L1 gene and omp-1 gene). 23 (17.5 %) HPV-only samples were detected, CT-only positives were 10 (7.6 %). And HPV/CT co-infection was 13 (9.9 %). Identified risk factors associated with HPV/CT co-infection were risky sexual behaviour and cytology status. The prevalence of HPV and CT and their co-infection rates being high in our study population, may be an indicator of cervical cancer risk. Consequently, there is an urgent need to raise awareness and take appropriate precautions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorine Florence Luthera Ngombe Mouabata
- Team of Virology Oncology and Biotechnologies Laboratory of Virology, Oncology, Biosciences, Environment and New Energy, Faculty of Science and Technology, Mohammedia, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco; Department of Health and Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien N'gouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Anicet Luc Magloire Boumba
- Department of Health and Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien N'gouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo; Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Polyclinique de la Fondation Marie Madeleine Gombes, Congo; Pointe-Noire Research Zone, National Institute for Research in Health Sciences (IRSSA), Brazzaville, Congo
| | | | - Freddy Saturnin Pouki
- Department of Health and Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien N'gouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Donatien Moukassa
- Department of Health and Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien N'gouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Moulay Mustapha Ennaji
- Team of Virology Oncology and Biotechnologies Laboratory of Virology, Oncology, Biosciences, Environment and New Energy, Faculty of Science and Technology, Mohammedia, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco.
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12
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Ghasemian E, Faal N, Pickering H, Sillah A, Breuer J, Bailey RL, Mabey D, Holland MJ. Genomic insights into local-scale evolution of ocular Chlamydia trachomatis strains within and between individuals in Gambian trachoma-endemic villages. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001210. [PMID: 38445851 PMCID: PMC10999739 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) serovars A-C, is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Africa bears the highest burden, accounting for over 86 % of global trachoma cases. We investigated Ct serovar A (SvA) and B (SvB) whole genome sequences prior to the induction of mass antibiotic drug administration in The Gambia. Here, we explore the factors contributing to Ct strain diversification and the implications for Ct evolution within the context of ocular infection. A cohort study in 2002-2003 collected ocular swabs across nine Gambian villages during a 6 month follow-up study. To explore the genetic diversity of Ct within and between individuals, we conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on a limited number (n=43) of Ct-positive samples with an omcB load ≥10 from four villages. WGS was performed using target enrichment with SureSelect and Illumina paired-end sequencing. Out of 43 WGS samples, 41 provided sufficient quality for further analysis. ompA analysis revealed that 11 samples had highest identity to ompA from strain A/HAR13 (NC_007429) and 30 had highest identity to ompA from strain B/Jali20 (NC_012686). While SvB genome sequences formed two distinct village-driven subclades, the heterogeneity of SvA sequences led to the formation of many individual branches within the Gambian SvA subclade. Comparing the Gambian SvA and SvB sequences with their reference strains, Ct A/HAR13 and Ct B/Jali20, indicated an single nucleotide polymorphism accumulation rate of 2.4×10-5 per site per year for the Gambian SvA and 1.3×10-5 per site per year for SvB variants (P<0.0001). Variant calling resulted in a total of 1371 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) with a frequency >25 % in SvA sequences, and 438 SNVs in SvB sequences. Of note, in SvA variants, highest evolutionary pressure was recorded on genes responsible for host cell modulation and intracellular survival mechanisms, whereas in SvB variants this pressure was mainly on genes essential for DNA replication/repair mechanisms and protein synthesis. A comparison of the sequences between observed separate infection events (4-20 weeks between infections) suggested that the majority of the variations accumulated in genes responsible for host-pathogen interaction such as CTA_0166 (phospholipase D-like protein), CTA_0498 (TarP) and CTA_0948 (deubiquitinase). This comparison of Ct SvA and SvB variants within a trachoma endemic population focused on their local evolutionary adaptation. We found a different variation accumulation pattern in the Gambian SvA chromosomal genes compared with SvB, hinting at the potential of Ct serovar-specific variation in diversification and evolutionary fitness. These findings may have implications for optimizing trachoma control and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ghasemian
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nkoyo Faal
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Harry Pickering
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ansumana Sillah
- National Eye Health Programme, Ministry of Health, Kanifing, Gambia
| | - Judith Breuer
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robin L. Bailey
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - David Mabey
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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13
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Farfour E, Kitous C, Zucman D, Touche P, Panel K, Fourn E, Vasse M. Comparison of the Alinity M STI with the GeneXpert CT/NG for the detection of sexually transmitted microorganisms. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 108:116179. [PMID: 38198980 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
We assess the performances of the Alinity M STI assay (Abbott Molecular) in comparison to the Xpert CT/NG assay (Cepheid). We first retrospectively used a collection of 70 frozen samples of which 33, 31, and 6 were positives for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG), and both micro-organisms respectively. The Alinity M STI and the Xpert CT/NG results were in accordance for all. The mean difference in cycle threshold values between the Xpert CT/NG and the Alinity M STI were -1.6 and 0.0 for CT and NG respectively. Then 214 fresh samples collected from 121 patients were prospectively tested with both instruments. Anal swabs, throat swabs, vaginal swabs, and urines accounted each for about 25%. Seven (3.2%) samples of which 5 anal swabs, provided inconclusive results with the Alinity M STI. In conclusion, the Alinity M STI is an accurate device for the microbiological diagnosis of NG and CT infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Farfour
- Service de biologie Clinique, hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France.
| | - Cyril Kitous
- Service de biologie Clinique, hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France
| | - David Zucman
- Réseau Ville-Hôpital, Service de médecine interne, Hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France
| | - Pauline Touche
- Délégation à la recherche clinique et à l'innovation, Hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France
| | - Kewin Panel
- Délégation à la recherche clinique et à l'innovation, Hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France
| | - Erwan Fourn
- Réseau Ville-Hôpital, Service de médecine interne, Hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France
| | - Marc Vasse
- Service de biologie Clinique, hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France; Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM Hémostase inflammation thrombose HITH U1176, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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14
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Cordioli M, Gios L, Erbogasto A, Mirandola M, Sandri A, Padovese V, Caceres C, Vargas S, Blondeel K, Silva R, Kiarie J, Kurbonov F, Peeling RW, Thwin SS, Golparian D, Unemo M, Toskin I. Clinic-based evaluation of the dual Xpert CT/NG assay on the GeneXpert System for screening for extragenital chlamydial and gonococcal infections amongst men who have sex with men. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:224. [PMID: 38418963 PMCID: PMC10902931 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09042-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections have increased globally. Asymptomatic infections represent a significant risk of long-term complications. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionally affected, underscoring the need to offer screening programmes to this population. CT/NG Point of Care Testing (POCT) constitutes a strategic tool to improve the continuum of STI care, however extensive real-life evaluations amongst at risk populations are lacking. The aim of this study is to estimate the GeneXpert CT/NG assay performance and usability for CT and NG at genital and extragenital sites for screening amongst MSM. METHODS This study was a multi-site sexual health clinic-based evaluation (Italy, Malta and Peru) with consecutive enrolment. A first void urine sample (divided in two aliquots), two oropharyngeal and two anorectal swabs were collected for each study participant. One specimen set (one for each anatomical site) was tested with the dual index test (Cepheid) at the clinics by the healthcare staff, the other set with FDA/CE approved Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) at the laboratory. Clinical sites and reference laboratories participated in an internal and external quality control programme. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, positive and negative predictive values for each anatomical site were estimated using a meta-analytic approach. RESULTS One thousand seven hundred two MSM were recruited across all clinical sites for a total of 5049 biological specimens. NG and CT were respectively detected in 274 and 287 of samples. Overall, the NG POCT sensitivity and specificity was 91.43% and 99.75% in urine (LR + 372.80, LR- 0.09), 89.68% and 99.55% in rectal specimens (LR + 197.30, LR- 0.10) and 75.87% and 98.77% at the pharynx respectively (LR + 61.94, LR- 0.24). The CT component of the POCT sensitivity was 84.82% and specificity 99.63% in urine (LR + 228.68, LR- 0.15), 78.07% and 99.19% respectively on rectal site (LR + 96.23, LR-0.22), 67.79% and 99.88% respectively at pharyngeal site (LR + 554.89, LR- 0.32). 95.95% of MSM reported to be willing to wait for POCT results and no provider reported difficulties in terms of performance or interpretation of the results of the Xpert CT/NG. CONCLUSION Rapid turnaround time, ease of use and high acceptability make the Xpert CT/NG testing system a strategic tool for increasing testing frequency, reaching those not yet tested and offering the possibility of immediate treatment if needed. The assay showed good negative likelihood ratios and confirms its use to rule out CT/NG infections. Sensitivity varied across sites and pathogens. Periodic staff training at the testing sites should be mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maddalena Cordioli
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Medicine, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy.
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Sexual Health and Vulnerable Populations - Epidemiology Unit - Division of Infectious Diseases, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Gios
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Medicine, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Sexual Health and Vulnerable Populations - Epidemiology Unit - Division of Infectious Diseases, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Erbogasto
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Medicine, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Massimo Mirandola
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Medicine, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Sexual Health and Vulnerable Populations - Epidemiology Unit - Division of Infectious Diseases, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
- School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | - Angela Sandri
- Microbiology Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Valeska Padovese
- Genitourinary Clinic, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Carlos Caceres
- Centro de Investigación Interdisciplinaria en Sexualidad, Sida y Sociedad, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Silver Vargas
- Centro de Investigación Interdisciplinaria en Sexualidad, Sida y Sociedad, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Karel Blondeel
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (includes the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction [HRP]), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ronaldo Silva
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (includes the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction [HRP]), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - James Kiarie
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (includes the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction [HRP]), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Firdavs Kurbonov
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (includes the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction [HRP]), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rosanna W Peeling
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Soe Soe Thwin
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (includes the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction [HRP]), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Igor Toskin
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (includes the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction [HRP]), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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15
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Shephard M, Matthews S, Andrewartha K, Dimech W, Cabuang L, Barbara C, Chen XS, Cordioli M, Hançali A, Jiang TT, Kularatne R, Meli S, Muller E, Oumzil H, Padovese V, Sandri A, Vargas S, Zahra G, Unemo M, Blondeel K, Toskin I. Quality control and external quality assessment for the independent clinic-based evaluation of point-of-care testing to detect Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis in eight countries. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:203. [PMID: 38418947 PMCID: PMC10902926 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09057-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexually transmitted infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) remain significant global health problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently conducted a multi-faceted, multi-country validation study (ProSPeRo), which included an evaluation of the Xpert CT/NG and Xpert TV assays on the GeneXpert system (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, Ca., USA) in clinic-based settings across eight countries. To support the study, a training and quality management system was implemented and evaluated. METHODS A comprehensive training program for the study was developed. Quality control (QC) and external quality assessment (EQA) samples were provided by an accredited quality assurance provider. QC testing was conducted at 14 point-of-care testing (POCT) clinics, while EQA samples were tested by the POCT sites and a reference laboratory supporting each clinic. RESULTS For QC testing, concordance with the expected results for CT and NG was > 99% and rates of unsuccessful tests were < 4%. For TV testing, concordance was similar (97%), but rates of unsuccessful tests were high (18%), particularly in the 'TV negative' sample. For EQA testing initially conducted in 2018, concordance was 100% for CT and NG, and 90% for TV for the reference laboratory group (which used non-GeneXpert systems). Concordance for the POCT group was also high (> 94%) for all analytes, but this cohort (which used GeneXpert systems) exhibited a high rate of unsuccessful TV tests. All but one of these unsuccessful tests was subcategorised as 'invalid'. CONCLUSIONS The high level of concordance for QC and EQA testing confirm that the trained operators at the POC clinical sites were competent to conduct POC testing and that the training and quality systems implemented for the ProSPeRo study were effective. The quality materials used were satisfactory for CT and NG but exhibited poor performance for TV testing on the GeneXpert system. The WHO should continue to work with industry and EQA providers to provide improved materials that are reliable, stable and cost effective for quality management, as it seeks to rollout molecular-based STI POCT in non-laboratory-based settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION Ethics approval to conduct the ProSPeRo study was granted by the WHO Ethics Review Committee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Shephard
- International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Susan Matthews
- International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kelly Andrewartha
- International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Wayne Dimech
- National Serology Reference Laboratory, Australia, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liza Cabuang
- National Serology Reference Laboratory, Australia, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Xiang-Sheng Chen
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Institute of Dermatology, National Center for STD Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Maddalena Cordioli
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Amina Hançali
- STIs Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, Institut National d'Hygiene, Ministry of Health- Morocco, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Ting-Ting Jiang
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Institute of Dermatology, National Center for STD Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Ranmini Kularatne
- Centre for HIV & STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Sandringham, South Africa
| | - Stephanie Meli
- Point-of-Care Testing Committee, Department of Pathology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Etienne Muller
- Centre for HIV & STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Sandringham, South Africa
| | - Hicham Oumzil
- Pedagogy and Research Unit of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University -Rabat, Virology Department, Institut National d'Hygiène MoH, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Valeska Padovese
- Genito-Urinary Clinic, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Angela Sandri
- Department of Diagnosis and Public Health, Section of Microbiology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Silver Vargas
- Centro de Investigación Interdisciplinaria en Sexualidad SIDA y Sociedad, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Graziella Zahra
- Molecular Diagnostics Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Karel Blondeel
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Igor Toskin
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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16
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Walker FC, Derré I. Contributions of diverse models of the female reproductive tract to the study of Chlamydia trachomatis-host interactions. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 77:102416. [PMID: 38103413 PMCID: PMC10922760 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a common cause of sexually transmitted infections in humans with devastating sequelae. Understanding of disease on all scales, from molecular details to the immunology underlying pathology, is essential for identifying new ways of preventing and treating chlamydia. Infection models of various complexity are essential to understand all aspects of chlamydia pathogenesis. Cell culture systems allow for research into molecular details of infection, including characterization of the unique biphasic Chlamydia developmental cycle and the role of type-III-secreted effectors in modifying the host environment to allow for infection. Multicell type and organoid culture provide means to investigate how cells other than the infected cells contribute to the control of infection. Emerging comprehensive three-dimensional biomimetic systems may fill an important gap in current models to provide information on complex phenotypes that cannot be modeled in simpler in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forrest C Walker
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Isabelle Derré
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America.
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17
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Ball LM, Bronstein E, Liechti GW, Maurelli AT. Neisseria gonorrhoeae drives Chlamydia trachomatis into a persistence-like state during in vitro co-infection. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0017923. [PMID: 38014981 PMCID: PMC10790821 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00179-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) globally. Despite frequent co-infections in patients, few studies have investigated how mono-infections may differ from co-infections. We hypothesized that a symbiotic relationship between the pathogens could account for the high rates of clinical co-infection. During in vitro co-infection, we observed an unexpected phenotype where the C. trachomatis developmental cycle was impaired by N. gonorrhoeae. C. trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen with a unique biphasic developmental cycle progressing from infectious elementary bodies (EB) to replicative reticulate bodies (RB), and back. After 12 hours of co-infection, we observed fewer EBs than in a mono-infection. Chlamydial genome copy number remained equivalent between mono- and co-infections. This is a hallmark of Chlamydial persistence. Chlamydial persistence alters inclusion morphology but varies depending on the stimulus/stress. We observed larger, but fewer, Chlamydia during co-infection. Tryptophan depletion can induce Chlamydial persistence, but tryptophan supplementation did not reverse the co-infection phenotype. Only viable and actively growing N. gonorrhoeae produced the inhibition phenotype in C. trachomatis. Piliated N. gonorrhoeae had the strongest effect on C. trachomatis, but hyperpiliated or non-piliated N. gonorrhoeae still produced the phenotype. EB development was modestly impaired when N. gonorrhoeae were grown in transwells above the infected monolayer. C. trachomatis serovar L2 was not impaired during co-infection. Chlamydial impairment could be due to cytoskeletal or osmotic stress caused by an as-yet-undefined mechanism. We conclude that N. gonorrhoeae induces a persistence-like state in C. trachomatis that is serovar dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise M. Ball
- Emerging Pathogens Institute and Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ellis Bronstein
- F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - George W. Liechti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Anthony T. Maurelli
- Emerging Pathogens Institute and Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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18
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Bommana S, Hu YJ, Kama M, Wang R, Kodimerla R, Jijakli K, Read TD, Dean D. Unique microbial diversity, community composition, and networks among Pacific Islander endocervical and vaginal microbiomes with and without Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Fiji. mBio 2024; 15:e0306323. [PMID: 38117091 PMCID: PMC10790706 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03063-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common sexually transmitted bacterium globally. Endocervical and vaginal microbiome interactions are rarely examined within the context of Ct or among vulnerable populations. We evaluated 258 vaginal and 92 paired endocervical samples from Fijian women using metagenomic shotgun sequencing. Over 37% of the microbiomes could not be classified into sub-community state types (subCSTs). We, therefore, developed subCSTs IV-D0, IV-D1, IV-D2, and IV-E-dominated primarily by Gardnerella vaginalis-to improve classification. Among paired microbiomes, the endocervix had a significantly higher alpha diversity and, independently, higher diversity for high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) genotypes compared to low-risk and no HPV. Ct-infected endocervical networks had smaller clusters without interactions with potentially beneficial Lactobacillus spp. Overall, these data suggest that G. vaginalis may generate polymicrobial biofilms that predispose to and/or promote Ct and possibly HPV persistence and pathogenicity. Our findings expand on the existing repertoire of endocervical and vaginal microbiomes and fill in knowledge gaps regarding Pacific Islanders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankhya Bommana
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Yi-Juan Hu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mike Kama
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Suva, Fiji
| | - Ruohong Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Reshma Kodimerla
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Kenan Jijakli
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Timothy D. Read
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Deborah Dean
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, Oakland, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Joint Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco and University of California Berkeley, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- University of California San Francisco, Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
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19
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Navarathna DH, Sayers KB, Murray DC. Impact of improper sample handling on Cobas CT/NG testing platform with dual swab sample collection kit for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0322423. [PMID: 38047699 PMCID: PMC10783118 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03224-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The importance of this observation lies in its potential to directly impact testing outcomes and patient care. By identifying improper sample handling as a contributing factor to a substantial number of invalid results, we emphasize the need for meticulous adherence to recommended protocols during sample collection. Laboratories that overlook or are unaware of such deviations may inadvertently compromise the reliability and efficacy of their diagnostic processes, leading to misdiagnoses, delayed treatment, and patient dissatisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhammika H. Navarathna
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine Services, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas, USA
| | - Kelle B. Sayers
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine Services, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas, USA
| | - Derek C. Murray
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine Services, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas, USA
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20
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Martínez-García L, Orviz E, González-Alba JM, Comunión A, Puerta T, Mateo M, Sánchez-Conde M, Rodríguez-Jiménez MC, Rodríguez-Domínguez M, Bru-Gorraiz FJ, del Romero J, Cantón R, Galán JC. Rapid expansion of lymphogranuloma venereum infections with fast diversification and spread of Chlamydia trachomatis L genovariants. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0285523. [PMID: 38095475 PMCID: PMC10783107 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02855-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Numerous international organizations, including the World Health Organization, have been drawing attention to the global increase in sexually transmitted infections. Twenty years ago, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) was mainly considered a tropical disease; in recent decades, however, LGV has been increasingly present in high-income countries. This increase has been linked to men who have sex with men who participate in highly interconnected sexual networks, leading to a rapid spread of LGV. This study focuses on the spread of LGV, presenting the largest time series of LGV prevalence in Spain, which includes more than a thousand diagnosed cases in one large city. The number of LGV cases diagnosed was analyzed over time, and a selection of strains was subjected to molecular genotyping. The results indicate that the LGV epidemic is gradually evolving toward an increasingly complex diversification due to the selection of successful genovariants that have emerged by mutation and recombination events, suggesting that we are moving toward an unpredictable scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martínez-García
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Orviz
- Centro Sanitario Sandoval, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - José María González-Alba
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Teresa Puerta
- Centro Sanitario Sandoval, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Mateo
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Central de la Defensa Gómez-Ulla, Madrid, Spain
| | - Matilde Sánchez-Conde
- Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Concepción Rodríguez-Jiménez
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Rodríguez-Domínguez
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Jorge del Romero
- Centro Sanitario Sandoval, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Cantón
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Galán
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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21
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dos Santos LM, Vieira MRMDS, Vieira RC, Silva LBDL, de Macêdo GMM, Miranda AE, Brasiliense DM, e Guimarães RJDPS, Sousa EC, Ferrari SF, Pinheiro HHC, Ishikawa EAY, de Sousa MS. Prevalence and circulant genotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis in university women from cities in the Brazilian Amazon. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0287119. [PMID: 38165909 PMCID: PMC10760737 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 80% of infected women infected by Chlamydia trachomatis are asymptomatic, although this infection can lead to serious complications in the female reproductive tract. Few data on Chlamydia infection and genotypes are available in Amazonian communities. OBJECTIVES To describe the prevalence of and associated factors and to identify the genotypes of sexual C. trachomatis infection in female university students in different urban centers (capital and interiors) in the Brazilian state of Pará, in the eastern Amazon region. METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed among young women attending public universities in four different urban centers in the eastern Amazon region. They were invited to participate in the studt and cervical secretions were collected for molecular diagnosis of C. trachomatis. We utilized amplification of the ompA gene by nested PCR. Positive samples were genotyped by nucleotide sequencing. Study participants completed a questionnaire on social, epidemiological, and reproductive health variables. A Qui-square and Binominal regression test were used to evaluate the degree of association of these variables with the infection. RESULTS A total of 686 female students was included in the study. The overall prevalence of C. trachomatis was 11.2% (77/686). The prevalence of this infection was higher in interiors (15.2% vs 9.5%/ p: 0.0443). Female university students who do not have a sexual partner (11.8%/p <0.008), who do not use a condom in their sexual relations (17.8%/p <0.0001) and who reported having suffered a miscarriage (32%/p <0.0001) have high chances of acquiring this sexual infection. The ompA gene was sequenced in only 33 (42.8%) samples, revealing the genotype J was the most frequent (27.2% [9/33]), followed by genotypes D (24.2% [8/33]), and then genotypes F (18.2% [6/33]), E (15.1% [5/33]) K (6.1% [2/33]), Ia (6.1% [2/33]), and G (3.1% [1/33]). CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of sexual infection by C. trachomatis in the female university students from the interior of the state of Pará, individuals with no fixed sexual partner, those that had had a miscarriage, the students that do not use condoms in their sexual relations. The genotype J of C. trachomatis genotypes was the most frequent. These data are important to help defining the epidemiological effects of chlamydial infections in Amazonian populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Angélica Espinosa Miranda
- Department of Social Medicine, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil
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22
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Luo H, Zeng L, Yin X, Pan Y, Yang J, Liu M, Qin X, Feng Z, Chen W, Zheng H. An isothermal CRISPR-based diagnostic assay for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis detection. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0046423. [PMID: 37882532 PMCID: PMC10715037 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00464-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE A method for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG)/Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) detection is developed using multiplex-recombinase polymerase amplification and Cas12a/Cas13a. This method can detect NG and CT simultaneously with high sensitivity and specificity. This method has great potential to be further developed into larger-scale screening and point-of-care testing (POCT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Luo
- Dermatology Hosptial, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lihong Zeng
- Dermatology Hosptial, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaona Yin
- Dermatology Hosptial, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuying Pan
- Dermatology Hosptial, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianjiang Yang
- Dermatology Hosptial, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingjing Liu
- Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Xiaolin Qin
- Dermatology Hosptial, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhanqin Feng
- Dermatology Hosptial, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wentao Chen
- Dermatology Hosptial, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Heping Zheng
- Dermatology Hosptial, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control, Guangzhou, China
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23
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Touati A, Bébéar C, Peuchant O. Correlating genotypic and phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing in clinical Chlamydia trachomatis isolates. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0293523. [PMID: 37966206 PMCID: PMC10714979 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02935-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Arabella Touati
- Bacteriology Department, CHU Bordeaux, National Reference Center for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
| | - Cécile Bébéar
- Bacteriology Department, CHU Bordeaux, National Reference Center for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
- Univ. Bordeaux, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), UMR 5234, Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, Bordeaux, France
| | - Olivia Peuchant
- Bacteriology Department, CHU Bordeaux, National Reference Center for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux, France
- Univ. Bordeaux, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), UMR 5234, Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, Bordeaux, France
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Ardizzone CM, Taylor CM, Toh E, Lillis RA, Elnaggar JH, Lammons JW, Mott PD, Duffy EL, Shen L, Quayle AJ. Association of Chlamydia trachomatis burden with the vaginal microbiota, bacterial vaginosis, and metronidazole treatment. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1289449. [PMID: 38149008 PMCID: PMC10750252 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1289449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiota, is a common coinfection with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), and BV-associated bacteria (BVAB) and their products have been implicated in aiding Ct evade natural immunity. Here, we determined if a non-optimal vaginal microbiota was associated with a higher genital Ct burden and if metronidazole, a standard treatment for BV, would reduce Ct burden or aid in natural clearance of Ct infection. Cervicovaginal samples were collected from women at enrollment and, if testing positive for Ct infection, at a follow-up visit approximately one week later. Cervical Ct burden was assessed by inclusion forming units (IFU) and Ct genome copy number (GCN), and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to determine the composition of the vaginal microbiota. We observed a six-log spectrum of IFU and an eight-log spectrum of GCN in our study participants at their enrollment visit, but BV, as indicated by Amsel's criteria, Nugent scoring, or VALENCIA community state typing, did not predict infectious and total Ct burden, although IFU : GCN increased with Amsel and Nugent scores and in BV-like community state types. Ct burden was, however, associated with the abundance of bacterial species in the vaginal microbiota, negatively with Lactobacillus crispatus and positively with Prevotella bivia. Women diagnosed with BV were treated with metronidazole, and Ct burden was significantly reduced in those who resolved BV with treatment. A subset of women naturally cleared Ct infection in the interim, typified by low Ct burden at enrollment and resolution of BV. Abundance of many BVAB decreased, and Lactobacillus increased, in response to metronidazole treatment, but no changes in abundances of specific vaginal bacteria were unique to women who spontaneously cleared Ct infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb M. Ardizzone
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Christopher M. Taylor
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Evelyn Toh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Rebecca A. Lillis
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Jacob H. Elnaggar
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - John W. Lammons
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Patricia Dehon Mott
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Emily L. Duffy
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Alison J. Quayle
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
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Dighe K, Moitra P, Gunaseelan N, Alafeef M, Jensen T, Rafferty C, Pan D. Highly-Specific Single-Stranded Oligonucleotides and Functional Nanoprobes for Clinical Determination of Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Infections. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2304009. [PMID: 37870167 PMCID: PMC10754082 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Early detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) is the key to controlling the spread of these bacterial infections. An important step in developing biosensors involves identifying reliable sensing probes against specific genetic targets for CT and NG. Here, the authors have designed single-stranded oligonucleotides (ssDNAs) targeting mutually conserved genetic regions of cryptic plasmid and chromosomal DNA of both CT and NG. The 5'- and 3'- ends of these ssDNAs are differentially functionalized with thiol groups and coupled with gold nanoparticles (AuNP) to develop absorbance-based assay. The AuNPs agglomerate selectively in the presence of its target DNA sequence and demonstrate a change in their surface plasmon resonance. The optimized assay is then used to detect both CT and NG DNA extracted from 60 anonymized clinical samples with a clinical sensitivity of ∼100%. The limit of detection of the assays are found to be 7 and 5 copies/µL for CT and NG respectively. Furthermore, it can successfully detect the DNA levels of these two bacteria without the need for DNA extraction and via a lateral flow-based platform. These assays thus hold the potential to be employed in clinics for rapid and efficient monitoring of sexually transmitted infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketan Dighe
- Department of PediatricsCentre of Blood Oxygen Transport & HemostasisUniversity of Maryland Baltimore School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland21201USA
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical EngineeringUniversity of Maryland Baltimore CountyBaltimore CountyMaryland21250USA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
| | - Parikshit Moitra
- Department of PediatricsCentre of Blood Oxygen Transport & HemostasisUniversity of Maryland Baltimore School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland21201USA
- Department of Nuclear EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
| | - Nivetha Gunaseelan
- Department of PediatricsCentre of Blood Oxygen Transport & HemostasisUniversity of Maryland Baltimore School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland21201USA
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical EngineeringUniversity of Maryland Baltimore CountyBaltimore CountyMaryland21250USA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
| | - Maha Alafeef
- Department of PediatricsCentre of Blood Oxygen Transport & HemostasisUniversity of Maryland Baltimore School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland21201USA
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical EngineeringUniversity of Maryland Baltimore CountyBaltimore CountyMaryland21250USA
- Department of Nuclear EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
| | - Tor Jensen
- Cancer Center at IllinoisUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign405 N. Mathews Ave.UrbanaIL61801‐2325USA
| | - Carla Rafferty
- Department of Family MedicineCarle Health1818 E Windsor Rd.UrbanaIL61802USA
| | - Dipanjan Pan
- Department of PediatricsCentre of Blood Oxygen Transport & HemostasisUniversity of Maryland Baltimore School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland21201USA
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical EngineeringUniversity of Maryland Baltimore CountyBaltimore CountyMaryland21250USA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
- Department of Nuclear EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPA16802USA
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences101 Huck Life Sciences BuildingUniversity ParkPA16802USA
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Fan M, Yang J, Wang X, Xu Y, Li B, Yang H, Lu Q, Min X, Huang M, Huang J. Highly specific detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae based on recombinase polymerase amplification-initiated strand displacement amplification. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1283:341956. [PMID: 37977801 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the only pathogen that causes gonorrhea, and can have serious consequences if left untreated. A simple and accurate detection method for N. gonorrhoeae is essential for the diagnosis of gonorrhea and the appropriate prescription of antibiotics. The application of isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) to detect this pathogen is advantageous because of its rapid performance, high sensitivity, and minimal dependency on equipment. However, this simplicity is offset by the risk of false-positive signals from primer-dimers and primer-probe dimers. In this study, RPA-initiated strand displacement amplification (SDA) was established for the detection of N. gonorrhoeae, and eliminated false-positive signals from primer-dimers and primer-probe dimers. The developed biosensor allows for the reduced generation of nonspecific RPA amplification through the design of enzyme cleavage sites on primers, introduction of SDA, and detection of the final product using a molecular beacon (MB). Using this system, the DNA double strand is transformed into single-stranded DNA following SDA, thereby providing a more suitable binding substrate and improving the efficiency of MB detection. Amplification can be conducted below 37 °C, and the process can be completed within 90 min. The limit of detection was determined to be 0.81 copies/μL. This system is highly specific for N. gonorrhoeae and exhibits no cross-reactivity with other common urogenital pathogens. The results of this study are consistent with those of real-time PCR performed on clinical specimens of urogenital secretions. In summary, the biosensor is a simple and specific detection method for N. gonorrhoeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengnan Fan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China; School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Jianru Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China; School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Xiaosu Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China; School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Yongjie Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, 550002, China
| | - Bing Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China; School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China; School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Qin Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China; School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Xun Min
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China; School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Meirong Huang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China; School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
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Soto Brito Y, Fonseca Castro DA, Guilarte Garcia E, Kouri Cardellá V, Ramirez Cardentey C, Mondeja Rodriguez BA, Concepción López JJ, Sánchez Alvarez MDL, López Pérez M, Gutierrez Coronado T, Torres Mosqueda K, Suárez Licor G. Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Cuban adolescent and young populations. Int J STD AIDS 2023; 34:1024-1033. [PMID: 37607391 DOI: 10.1177/09564624231191568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Cuba, little is known regarding the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection in adolescents and young people. We study the frequency of CT infection in these populations, and its association with clinical-epidemiological variables. METHODS A total of 496 individuals aged 12 to 24 were recruited from November 2018 to November 2019. Of them, 302 were patients attending at sexually transmitted infections (STI) services and 194 were young volunteers. CT detections were carried out by real-time PCR and IgG serology. RESULTS The prevalence of CT using PCR was 9.1% (45/496); 12.3% (37/302) for subjects attending STI service and 4.1% (8/194) for young volunteers, being significantly higher in the first group (OR=3.25; p=.001). CT IgG antibodies was detected in 38.6% (81/210). Individuals from 12 to 17 years old were more likely infected with CT (OR=2.21; p=.010). Infection was associated with the early onset of sexual intercourse, the frequent changing of sexual partners and black ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that Cuban adolescents and young populations are at highest risk of acquiring CT infection and developing reproductive complications. The data obtained advise the needs of implementation of a routine CT screening strategy, for timely diagnosis, detection and treatment at the earliest ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudira Soto Brito
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Laboratory, Department of Virology, "Pedro Kourí" Tropical Medicine Institute (IPK), Havana, Cuba
| | - Darien Alejandro Fonseca Castro
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Laboratory, Department of Virology, "Pedro Kourí" Tropical Medicine Institute (IPK), Havana, Cuba
| | - Elias Guilarte Garcia
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Laboratory, Department of Virology, "Pedro Kourí" Tropical Medicine Institute (IPK), Havana, Cuba
| | - Vivian Kouri Cardellá
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Laboratory, Department of Virology, "Pedro Kourí" Tropical Medicine Institute (IPK), Havana, Cuba
| | - Celeste Ramirez Cardentey
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Laboratory, Department of Virology, "Pedro Kourí" Tropical Medicine Institute (IPK), Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | - Maida López Pérez
- Mariana Grajales" Gyneco-obstetric University Hospital, Santa Clara, Cuba
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28
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Delany-Moretlwe S, Mgodi N, Bekker LG, Baeten JM, Li C, Donnell D, Agyei Y, Lennon D, Rose SM, Mokgatle M, Kassim S, Mukaka S, Adeyeye A, Celum C. High prevalence and incidence of gonorrhoea and chlamydia in young women eligible for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in South Africa and Zimbabwe: results from the HPTN 082 trial. Sex Transm Infect 2023; 99:433-439. [PMID: 36889914 PMCID: PMC10555488 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2022-055696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We investigated the prevalence, incidence and factors associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young African women seeking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). METHODS HPTN 082 was a prospective, open-label PrEP study enrolling HIV-negative sexually active women aged 16-25 years in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, and Harare, Zimbabwe. Endocervical swabs from enrolment, months 6 and 12 were tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) by nucleic acid amplification, and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) by a rapid test. Intracellular tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP) concentrations in dried blood spots were measured at months 6 and 12. Associations between risk characteristics and STI outcomes were assessed using Poisson regression. RESULTS Of 451 enrolled participants, 55% had an STI detected at least once. CT incidence was 27.8 per 100 person-years (py) (95% CI 23.1, 33.2), GC incidence was 11.4 per 100 py (95% CI 8.5, 15.0) and TV incidence was 6.7 per 100 py (95% CI 4.5, 9.5). 66% of incident infections were diagnosed in women uninfected at baseline. Baseline cervical infection (GC or CT) risk was highest in Cape Town (relative risk (RR) 2.38, 95% CI 1.35, 4.19) and in those not living with family (RR 1.87, 95% 1.13, 3.08); condom use was protective (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.45, 0.99). Incident CT was associated with baseline CT (RR 2.01; 95% CI 1.28, 3.15) and increasing depression score (RR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01, 1.09). Incident GC was higher in Cape Town (RR 2.40; 95% CI 1.18, 4.90) and in participants with high PrEP adherence (TFV-DP concentrations ≥700 fmol/punch) (RR 2.04 95% CI 1.02, 4.08). CONCLUSION Adolescent girls and young women seeking PrEP have a high prevalence and incidence of curable STIs. Alternatives to syndromic management for diagnosis and treatment are needed to reduce the burden of STIs in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02732730.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nyaradzo Mgodi
- Clinical Trials Research Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Linda-Gail Bekker
- Desmond Tutu Health Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jared M Baeten
- Departments of Global Health, Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California, USA
| | - Chuwen Li
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Deborah Donnell
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yaw Agyei
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Denni Lennon
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Marcia Mokgatle
- Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sheetal Kassim
- Desmond Tutu Health Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shorai Mukaka
- Clinical Trials Research Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Adeola Adeyeye
- Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Connie Celum
- Departments of Global Health, Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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29
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Buder S. [Urethritis-spectrum of pathogens, diagnostics and treatment]. Dermatologie (Heidelb) 2023; 74:835-850. [PMID: 37847382 DOI: 10.1007/s00105-023-05230-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
A broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses can cause urethritis. In particular, N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium and T. vaginalis are the focus of diagnostic considerations as classic pathogens associated with sexually transmitted infections (STI). A step-by-step procedure is needed to make a definitive diagnosis. Microscopy with a staining preparation provides an initial differentiation between gonoccocal and non-gonococcal urethritis in symptomatic men as a point-of-care (POC) test. Nucleic acid amplification technology (NAAT) is used for specific and sensitive pathogen detection and, as a multiplex diagnostic test, offers the possibility of detecting several organisms from the same sample. In addition, compared to culture, no vital organisms are required, which allows the collection and use of more diverse and less invasive biological samples (e.g. first stream urine in men or vaginal swabs). Susceptibility testing by culture remains essential for N. gonorrhoeae as resistance is emerging. The treatment of urethritis depends on the suspected or proven pathogen according to the current guidelines. Treatment failure can be caused by many factors (coinfection, lack of therapy adherence, reinfection or resistance of the pathogen) and requires a repeated diagnostic and therapeutic procedure and differentiated approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Buder
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Vivantes Klinikum Berlin Neukölln, Rudower Str. 48, 12351, Berlin, Deutschland.
- Konsiliarlabor für Gonokokken, Robert Koch-Institut, Seestr. 10, 13353, Berlin, Deutschland.
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30
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Hakiem OR, Rizvi SMA, Ramirez C, Tan M. Euo is a developmental regulator that represses late genes and activates midcycle genes in Chlamydia trachomatis. mBio 2023; 14:e0046523. [PMID: 37565751 PMCID: PMC10653925 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00465-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In this study, we developed a correlative approach that combined DNA immunoprecipitation-seq and RNA-seq analyses to define the regulon of the Chlamydia trachomatis transcription factor Euo. We confirmed the proposed role of Euo as a transcriptional repressor of late chlamydial genes but also showed that Euo activates transcription of a subset of midcycle genes and autoregulates its own expression via negative feedback. This study validates and expands the role of Euo as an important developmental regulator in C. trachomatis. In addition, this genome-wide correlative approach can be applied to study transcription factors in other pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owais R. Hakiem
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Syed M. A. Rizvi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Cuper Ramirez
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Ming Tan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
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31
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Hatch ND, Ouellette SP. Identification of the alternative sigma factor regulons of Chlamydia trachomatis using multiplexed CRISPR interference. mSphere 2023; 8:e0039123. [PMID: 37747235 PMCID: PMC10597470 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00391-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a developmentally regulated, obligate intracellular bacterium that encodes three sigma factors: σ66, σ54, and σ28. σ66 is the major sigma factor controlling most transcription initiation during early- and mid-cycle development as the infectious elementary body (EB) transitions to the non-infectious reticulate body (RB) that replicates within an inclusion inside the cell. The roles of the minor sigma factors, σ54 and σ28, have not been well characterized to date; however, there are data to suggest each functions in late-stage development and secondary differentiation as RBs transition to EBs. As the process of secondary differentiation itself is poorly characterized, clarifying the function of these alternative sigma factors by identifying the genes regulated by them will further our understanding of chlamydial differentiation. We hypothesize that σ54 and σ28 have non-redundant and essential functions for initiating late gene transcription thus mediating secondary differentiation in Chlamydia. Here, we demonstrate the necessity of each minor sigma factor in successfully completing the developmental cycle. We have implemented and validated multiplexed Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) interference techniques, novel to the chlamydial field to examine the effects of knocking down each alternative sigma factor individually and simultaneously. In parallel, we also overexpressed each sigma factor. Altering transcript levels for either or both alternative sigma factors resulted in a severe defect in EB production as compared to controls. Furthermore, RNA sequencing identified differentially expressed genes during alternative sigma factor dysregulation, indicating the putative regulons of each. These data demonstrate that the levels of alternative sigma factors must be carefully regulated to facilitate chlamydial growth and differentiation. IMPORTANCE Chlamydia trachomatis is a significant human pathogen in both developed and developing nations. Due to the organism's unique developmental cycle and intracellular niche, basic research has been slow and arduous. However, recent advances in chlamydial genetics have allowed the field to make significant progress in experimentally interrogating the basic physiology of Chlamydia. Broadly speaking, the driving factors of chlamydial development are poorly understood, particularly regarding how the later stages of development are regulated. Here, we employ a novel genetic tool for use in Chlamydia while investigating the effects of dysregulating the two alternative sigma factors in the organism that help control transcription initiation. We provide further evidence for both sigma factors' essential roles in late-stage development and their potential regulons, laying the foundation for deeper experimentation to uncover the molecular pathways involved in chlamydial differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D. Hatch
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Scot P. Ouellette
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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32
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Vahidnia A, Voll S, Zwart N, Tangali F, Oosterlaken T, Sinnige JC, Kalpoe J, Herpers BL. Development and validation of a fully automated laboratory-developed test for detection of HSV-1/2 and VZV in clinical samples run on the Panther Fusion® system. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 107:116022. [PMID: 37481799 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2023.116022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop a laboratory developed test (LDT) for HSV1/2 and VZV to run on fully automated Hologic Panther Fusion® System. The Panther Fusion System is a fully automated walkaway system, providing end-to-end workflow from sample input to DNA/RNA extraction, amplification, automated analysis, and reporting to a laboratory information system (LIS). The LDT was developed and validated on 230 clinical and 20 reference samples (n = 250) and compared to a commercially available kit. Assessment of the analytical and diagnostic performances of the LDT revealed >98% accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, which is consistent with or better than many of the commercial or laboratory-developed tests available. The advantage of this LDT is that it is designed to perform a single-run full female health screening in parallel with 4 commercially available Hologic kits for Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhea (CT/NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), and bacterial vaginosis (BV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Vahidnia
- Regional Public Health Laboratory Kennemerland, Haarlem, the Netherlands.
| | - Soeraya Voll
- Regional Public Health Laboratory Kennemerland, Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - Nick Zwart
- Regional Public Health Laboratory Kennemerland, Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - Faried Tangali
- Scientific Affairs, Hologic Inc., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tom Oosterlaken
- Scientific Affairs, Hologic Inc., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan C Sinnige
- Regional Public Health Laboratory Kennemerland, Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - Jayant Kalpoe
- Regional Public Health Laboratory Kennemerland, Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - Bjorn L Herpers
- Regional Public Health Laboratory Kennemerland, Haarlem, the Netherlands
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Abstract
Type III secretion systems (T3SSs) are utilized by Gram-negative pathogens to enhance their pathogenesis. This secretion system is associated with the delivery of effectors through a needle-like structure from the bacterial cytosol directly into a target eukaryotic cell. These effector proteins then manipulate specific eukaryotic cell functions to benefit pathogen survival within the host. The obligate intracellular pathogens of the family Chlamydiaceae have a highly evolutionarily conserved nonflagellar T3SS that is an absolute requirement for their survival and propagation within the host with about one-seventh of the genome dedicated to genes associated with the T3SS apparatus, chaperones, and effectors. Chlamydiae also have a unique biphasic developmental cycle where the organism alternates between an infectious elementary body (EB) and replicative reticulate body (RB). T3SS structures have been visualized on both EBs and RBs. And there are effector proteins that function at each stage of the chlamydial developmental cycle, including entry and egress. This review will discuss the history of the discovery of chlamydial T3SS and the biochemical characterization of components of the T3SS apparatus and associated chaperones in the absence of chlamydial genetic tools. These data will be contextualized into how the T3SS apparatus functions throughout the chlamydial developmental cycle and the utility of heterologous/surrogate models to study chlamydial T3SS. Finally, there will be a targeted discussion on the history of chlamydial effectors and recent advances in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Rucks
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Durham Research Center II, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Ray A, Pradhan D, Arora R, Siraj F, Rastogi S. Microarray profiling of serum micro-RNAs in women with Chlamydia trachomatis-associated recurrent spontaneous abortion: A case control study. Microb Pathog 2023; 182:106273. [PMID: 37507027 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infection is a major cause of sexually transmitted diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) have been known to be upregulated/downregulated in various reproductive-associated diseases such as ectopic pregnancy, preterm birth and pre-eclampsia. However, there is paucity of literature on miRNA profile in C. trachomatis-infected RSA. The present study aimed to determine the profile of serum miRNAs followed by their validation in C. trachomatis-infected RSA and to find target genes involved in biological pathways. Non-heparinized blood and first void urine were collected from 30 non-pregnant women with RSA and 30 non-pregnant women with ≥2 successful deliveries (controls) attending Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Safdarjung hospital, New Delhi, India. C. trachomatis detection was done in urine by PCR and chlamydial load was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). miRNA expression was studied by microarray analysis followed by in vitro validation by qRT-PCR. Analysis of target genes/pathways was characterized in silico. 06 RSA patients were infected with C. trachomatis, while chlamydial load was found to be 6000-12,000 copies/ml. 110 circulating miRNAs were expressed differentially in infected RSA patients compared with controls. Of these, 16 were overexpressed and 94 downregulated. 06 differentially expressed circulating miRNAs were selected to validate the microarray results. qRT-PCR data confirmed the reliability of the microarray results: miR-4443, -5100, -7975 showed statistically significant upregulation, while miR-6808-5p, -3148, -6727-5p were significantly downregulated in infected RSA patients versus controls. Chlamydial load was positively correlated with these upregulated miRNAs. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that target genes of miRNAs in RSA are involved in AMPK, Akt and mTOR signaling pathways. Overall results indicate that differentially expressed circulating miRNAs are involved in pathogenesis of C. trachomatis-associated RSA and have the potential to be used as biomarkers for predicting RSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Ray
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Sriramachari Bhawan, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, Post Box No. 4909, New Delhi, 110029, India.
| | - Dibyabhaba Pradhan
- ICMR-AIIMS Computational Genomics Centre, Room No. 5001, Convergence Block, AIIMS, New Delhi, 110029, India.
| | - Renu Arora
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, 110029, India.
| | - Fouzia Siraj
- Pathology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Sriramachari Bhawan, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, Post Box No. 4909, New Delhi, 110029, India.
| | - Sangita Rastogi
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Sriramachari Bhawan, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, Post Box No. 4909, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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Meier K, Jachmann LH, Türköz G, Babu Sait MR, Pérez L, Kepp O, Valdivia RH, Kroemer G, Sixt BS. The Chlamydia effector CpoS modulates the inclusion microenvironment and restricts the interferon response by acting on Rab35. mBio 2023; 14:e0319022. [PMID: 37530528 PMCID: PMC10470785 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03190-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis inserts a family of inclusion membrane (Inc) proteins into the membrane of its vacuole (the inclusion). The Inc CpoS is a critical suppressor of host cellular immune surveillance, but the underlying mechanism remained elusive. By complementing a cpoS mutant with various natural orthologs and variants of CpoS, we linked distinct molecular interactions of CpoS to distinct functions. Unexpectedly, we found CpoS to be essential for the formation of inclusion membrane microdomains that control the spatial organization of multiple Incs involved in signaling and modulation of the host cellular cytoskeleton. While the function of CpoS in microdomains was uncoupled from its role in the suppression of host cellular defenses, we found the ability of CpoS to interact with Rab GTPases to be required not only for the manipulation of membrane trafficking, such as to mediate transport of ceramide-derived lipids (sphingolipids) to the inclusion, but also for the inhibition of Stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-dependent type I interferon responses. Indeed, depletion of Rab35 phenocopied the exacerbated interferon responses observed during infection with CpoS-deficient mutants. Overall, our findings highlight the role of Inc-Inc interactions in shaping the inclusion microenvironment and the modulation of membrane trafficking as a pathogenic immune evasion strategy. IMPORTANCE Chlamydia trachomatis is a prevalent bacterial pathogen that causes blinding ocular scarring and urogenital infections that can lead to infertility and pregnancy complications. Because Chlamydia can only grow within its host cell, boosting the intrinsic defenses of human cells may represent a novel strategy to fight pathogen replication and survival. Hence, CpoS, a Chlamydia protein known to block host cellular defenses, or processes regulated by CpoS, could provide new opportunities for therapeutic intervention. By revealing CpoS as a multifunctional virulence factor and by linking its ability to block host cellular immune signaling to the modulation of membrane trafficking, the present work may provide a foundation for such rationale targeting and advances our understanding of how intracellular bacteria can shape and protect their growth niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karsten Meier
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lana H. Jachmann
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Gözde Türköz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mohammed Rizwan Babu Sait
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lucía Pérez
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Oliver Kepp
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Inserm U1138, Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Raphael H. Valdivia
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Inserm U1138, Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
- Department of Biology, Institut du Cancer Paris CARPEM, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Barbara S. Sixt
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Abedifar Z, Fallah F, Asadiamoli F, Bourrie B, Doustdar F. Chlamydia trachomatis Serovar Distribution in Patients with Follicular Conjunctivitis in Iran. Turk J Ophthalmol 2023; 53:218-221. [PMID: 37602552 PMCID: PMC10442745 DOI: 10.4274/tjo.galenos.2022.12080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Chlamydia trachomatis infects the urogenital tract and eyes. Anatomical tropism is correlated with serovars which are characterized according to the variation in the major outer membrane proteins encoded by the ompA gene. The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution of C. trachomatis serovars among patients with follicular conjunctivitis in Iran. Materials and Methods A total of 68 conjunctival specimens from symptomatic adults were studied for the presence of C. trachomatis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Serovars were determined by Omp1 PCR-RFLP analysis. Results C. trachomatis was detected in 38 (55.9%) of patients with follicular conjunctivitis, with higher C. trachomatis prevalence in the younger age groups. Twenty-six (38.2%) of these patients had a history of urinary tract infection. Four distinct serovars were identified in the conjunctiva samples using molecular genotyping. The most prevalent was serovar E, followed by G, I, and F. Conclusion Our serovar distribution indicated that chlamydial follicular conjunctivitis usually has a genital source. Genital serovars may cause eye diseases, especially in sexually active adults. On the other hand, conjunctivitis might be the only sign of sexually transmitted infection. Therefore, genotyping C. trachomatis in ocular and genital specimens could be beneficial for acquiring more detailed epidemiological information about the etiology of the disease and monitoring treatment success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Abedifar
- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Fallah
- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Asadiamoli
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ben Bourrie
- University of Alberta Food, and Nutritional Science, Department of Agricultural, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Farahnoosh Doustdar
- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Tehran, Iran
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Hopkins M, Arcenas R, Couto-Parada X, Lewinski M, Njoya M, Perinpanathan D, Sheriff R, Hansra A, Singh S. PivNG primers and probes set used in the cobas omni Utility Channel is a reliable supplemental test for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in oropharyngeal, urogenital and rectal specimens collected in cobas PCR Media. Sex Transm Infect 2023; 99:416-419. [PMID: 37116988 PMCID: PMC10447364 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2022-055576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical performance of the novel PivNG primers and probes set (PivNG test) used in the cobas omni Utility Channel for supplemental testing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). METHODS Oropharyngeal, urogenital and rectal samples were self-collected during routine testing at Barts Health sexual health clinics, London, UK. Samples were tested by the cobas CT/NG test and PivNG cobas omni Utility Channel test on cobas 6800/8800 Systems. Supplemental testing was carried out with the Xpert CT/NG test. PivNG overall percent agreements, positive percent agreements (PPAs)/negative percent agreements (NPAs) and positive/negative predictive values were calculated for each sample type. Microscopy and/or culture data were included for a randomised subset of concordant/discordant results, and a composite reference standard (cobas CT/NG, Xpert CT/NG and culture results) adjusted for partial verification bias was used to determine PivNG PPA and NPA. RESULTS Of 447 evaluable samples with valid results from all three assays (cobas CT/NG, PivNG and Xpert CT/NG), 288 (64.4%) were NG-positive by both PivNG and cobas CT/NG; 117 (26.2%) were NG-negative in both tests; and 42 (9.4%) had discordant results (with NG-negative supplementary Xpert) CT/NG results in 40/42 instances). Of 19 PivNG/Xpert CT/NG-discordant samples, 11 were confirmed NG-positive by microscopy and/or culture results. PivNG PPA and NPA were 100% and 91% for oropharyngeal swabs, 100% and 100% for vaginal swabs, 100% and 100% for male urine samples, and 100% and 97% for rectal swabs, respectively, compared with the partially adjusted composite reference standard. CONCLUSIONS PivNG is a reliable supplementary test with high sensitivity for confirming NG infection when used in conjunction with the cobas CT/NG test and samples collected in cobas PCR Media. Moreover, the PivNG test offers a convenient, high-throughput solution for supplemental NG testing of various sample types, with the potential to reduce the number of indeterminate reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Hopkins
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Rodney Arcenas
- Roche Molecular Systems Inc, Pleasanton, California, USA
| | - Xose Couto-Parada
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Merlin Njoya
- Roche Molecular Systems Inc, Pleasanton, California, USA
| | - Deva Perinpanathan
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Rizwaan Sheriff
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Avneet Hansra
- Roche Molecular Systems Inc, Pleasanton, California, USA
| | - Selena Singh
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
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Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infection of ocular conjunctiva can lead to blindness, while infection of the female genital tract can lead to chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and/or infertility. Conjunctival and fallopian tube inflammation and the resulting disease sequelae are attributed to immune responses induced by chlamydial infection at these mucosal sites. The conserved chlamydial plasmid has been implicated in enhancing infection, via improved host cell entry and exit, and accelerating innate inflammatory responses that lead to tissue damage. The chlamydial plasmid encodes eight open reading frames, three of which have been associated with virulence: a secreted protein, Pgp3, and putative transcriptional regulators, Pgp4 and Pgp5. Although Pgp3 is an important plasmid-encoded virulence factor, recent studies suggest that chlamydial plasmid-mediated virulence extends beyond the expression of Pgp3. In this review, we discuss studies of genital, ocular, and gastrointestinal infection with C. trachomatis or C. muridarum that shed light on the role of the plasmid in disease development, and the potential for tissue and species-specific differences in plasmid-mediated pathogenesis. We also review evidence that plasmid-associated inflammation can be independent of bacterial burden. The functions of each of the plasmid-encoded proteins and potential molecular mechanisms for their role(s) in chlamydial virulence are discussed. Although the understanding of plasmid-associated virulence has expanded within the last decade, many questions related to how and to what extent the plasmid influences chlamydial infectivity and inflammation remain unknown, particularly with respect to human infections. Elucidating the answers to these questions could improve our understanding of how chlamydia augment infection and inflammation to cause disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna J. Turman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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39
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Bastidas RJ, Valdivia RH. The emerging complexity of Chlamydia trachomatis interactions with host cells as revealed by molecular genetic approaches. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 74:102330. [PMID: 37247566 PMCID: PMC10988583 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that relies on the activity of secreted proteins known as effectors to promote replication and avoidance of immune clearance. Understanding the contribution of Ct effectors to pathogenesis has proven to be challenging, given that these proteins often perform multiple functions during intracellular infection. Recent advances in molecular genetic analysis of Ct have provided valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of secreted effector proteins and their impact on the interaction between Ct and host cells and tissues. This review highlights significant findings from genetic analysis of Ct effector functions, shedding light on their diverse roles. We also discuss the challenges faced in this field of study and explore potential opportunities for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Bastidas
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Raphael H Valdivia
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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40
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McCaslin PN, Andersen SE, Icardi CM, Faris R, Steiert B, Smith P, Haider J, Weber MM. Identification and Preliminary Characterization of Novel Type III Secreted Effector Proteins in Chlamydia trachomatis. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0049122. [PMID: 37347192 PMCID: PMC10353436 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00491-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen that replicates in a host-derived vacuole termed the inclusion. Central to pathogenesis is a type III secretion system that translocates effector proteins into the host cell, which are predicted to play major roles in host cell invasion, nutrient acquisition, and immune evasion. However, until recently, the genetic intractability of C. trachomatis hindered identification and characterization of these important virulence factors. Here, we sought to expand the repertoire of identified effector proteins and confirm they are secreted during C. trachomatis infection. Utilizing bioinformatics, we identified 18 candidate substrates that had not been previously assessed for secretion, of which we show four to be secreted, using Yersinia pseudotuberculosis as a surrogate host. Using adenylate cyclase (CyaA), BlaM, and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) secretion assays, we identified nine novel substrates that were secreted in at least one assay. Interestingly, only three of the substrates, shown to be translocated by C. trachomatis, were similarly secreted by Y. pseudotuberculosis. Using large-scale screens to determine subcellular localization and identify effectors that perturb crucial host cell processes, we identified one novel substrate, CT392, that is toxic when heterologously expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Toxicity required both the N- and C-terminal regions of the protein. Additionally, we show that these newly described substrates traffic to distinct host cell compartments, including vesicles and the cytoplasm. Collectively, our study expands the known repertoire of C. trachomatis secreted factors and highlights the importance of testing for secretion in the native host using multiple secretion assays when possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige N. McCaslin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Shelby E. Andersen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Carolina M. Icardi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Robert Faris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Brianna Steiert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Parker Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Jawad Haider
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Mary M. Weber
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Scanlon KR, Keb G, Wolf K, Jewett TJ, Fields KA. Chlamydia trachomatis TmeB antagonizes actin polymerization via direct interference with Arp2/3 activity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1232391. [PMID: 37483386 PMCID: PMC10360934 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1232391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen that actively promotes invasion of epithelial cells. A virulence-associated type III secretion system contributes to chlamydial entry and at least four effectors have been described that are deployed during this time. Two of these invasion-related effectors, the translocated membrane-associated effectors A and B (TmeA and TmeB), are encoded in a bi-cistronic operon. TmeA directly activates host N-WASP to stimulate Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization. According to current working models, TmeA-mediated N-WASP activation contributes to invasion. TmeB has not been functionally characterized. Unlike a tmeA null strain, loss of tmeB does not impact invasion efficiency of C. trachomatis. Using strains deficient for multiple genes, we provide evidence that TmeA is dispensable for invasion in the absence of TmeB. Our data indicate that overabundance of TmeB interferes with invasion and that this activity requires active Arp2/3 complex. We further show that TmeB is capable of interfering with Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerization. In aggregate, these data point to opposing functions for TmeA and TmeB that manifest during the invasion process. These studies raise intriguing questions regarding the dynamic interplay between TmeA, TmeB, and branched actin polymerization during chlamydial entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylyn R. Scanlon
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Gabrielle Keb
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Katerina Wolf
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Travis J. Jewett
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Kenneth A. Fields
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
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Ayaz ÇM, Karakaplan ND, İnkaya AÇ, Çakır B, Ünal S, Zarakolu P. [Investigation of the Frequency of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium in Men Living with HIV in Terms of Sociodemographic Characteristics and Behavioral Risk Factors]. MIKROBIYOL BUL 2023; 57:378-389. [PMID: 37462302 DOI: 10.5578/mb.20239931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium in men living with HIV in terms of sociodemographic characteristics and behavioral risk factors. In this cross-sectional, single center study, all HIV-infected male patients, aged ≥ 18 years, including those being followed-up (n= 142) and the new admissions (n= 16) at Hacettepe University, Department of Infectious Diseases between March 1st, 2017 and May 1st, 2018 were included. After obtaining the informed consent form; age, follow-up days in STI-clinic, marital status, education, employment status; STI-related sign and symptoms, prior STI diagnosis, multiple sexual partners during the last year, exchanging sex for money, sexual orientation, drug use, condom use with regular and casual partner and also risk factors regarding partners were inquired as behavioural risk factors. A sample of first-voided urine of each participant was tested for the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium by using nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) (BD-MAX system, BD Diagnostics, USA) and BD MAX Mycoplasma-Ureaplasma-OSR for BioGX, (BD Diagnostics, The Netherlands). All participants living with HIV, men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual men were grouped as STI-positive and STI-negative and compared. For all statistical analysis, SPSS 24 software was used. During the period of 14 months; the data was determined as follows: median follow-up time was 1138 (IQR= 159.5- 1494.5) days, median age was 35 (IQR= 28-42) years, 73.3% were single, 68.3% were at least college graduates or had higher educational attainment, 78.1% were currently employed. Of the participants, 26.9% reported STI-related sign and symptoms, 50.0% at least one STI episode in the past. Nine (5.6%) M.genitalium, five (3.1%) N.gonorrhoeae, and four (2.5%) C.trachomatis were detected in the urine samples of 17 (10.7%) individuals. N.gonorrhoeae and C.trachomatis were detected simultaneously in only one patient's urine sample. STI-positive patients (n= 17) were determined to be younger compared to STI-negative group [(p= 0.02; 27 years (IQR= 24-37) vs 35 years (IQR= 28-42)], had prominent STI-related signs and symptoms (p< 0.001) and had more multiple sexual partners (p= 0.03). The median CD4+ T lymphocyte count were relatively lower (p= 0.03) in STI-positive patients and plasma HIV RNA level was higher compared to the STI-negative participants (p= 0.05). STI-positive MSM group were younger [p= 0.01; 26 years (IQR= 23.5-29) vs 33 years, (IQR= 28-40)], STI-related signs and symptoms were more prominent (p= 0.02), the frequency of exchanging sex for money/drugs among their partners (p= 0.03) was higher compared to their STI-negative counterparts. Among STI-positive heterosexual patients, the presence of STI-related signs and symptoms (p= 0.04), drug use among their partners (p= 0.04) and plasma HIV RNA level (p<0.01) were significantly higher. STI was identified as an important health problem in this series of men living with HIV, 63.0% of whom had MSM and had a relatively high education level and socioeconomic status. Young age, having multiple partners, drug use, exchanging sex for money/drugs were prominent among the participants and their partners. Public health studies should focus on preventing STIs in young people living with HIV who have behavioral risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Çağlayan Merve Ayaz
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara, Türkiye
| | | | - Ahmet Çağkan İnkaya
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Banu Çakır
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Serhat Ünal
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Pınar Zarakolu
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara, Türkiye
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Han Y, Chen S, Xu W, Shi M, Chen K, Liu J, Kim P, Chen X, Yin Y. A Nationwide Survey on Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in Health Facilities in China. Sex Transm Dis 2023; 50:420-424. [PMID: 36920285 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study evaluated the clinical laboratory capacity for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) in China to provide recommendations to improve the diagnostic capacity and quality of this clinically important sexually transmitted disease. METHODS An electronic questionnaire-based cross-sectional, survey study was conducted by the National Center for STD Control among different types of healthcare facilities in China from July to December 2021. RESULTS The surveyed laboratory facilities were located in 332 cities in 31 provinces in China. A total of 4640 records from clinical laboratories were included in the data set for the final analysis. Less than half of the laboratories (41.6% [1931 of 4640]) performed the CT diagnostic test; of these, 721 laboratories (15.5% [721 of 4640]) carried out nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) methods, and 1318 laboratories (28.4% [1318 of 4640]) performed antigen-based immunochromatographic assays. Most laboratories were equipped with biological safety cabinets (93.7% [4348 of 4640]), 49.2% (2283 of 4640) were equipped with fully automated nucleic acid extractors, and 55.2% (2560 of 4640) were equipped with polymerase chain reaction amplification instruments. The laboratories from Southern China or third-class hospitals (i.e., the highest rated hospitals) had the highest proportion using NAATs to diagnose CT among the surveyed health facilities. CONCLUSIONS Advancing laboratories to use NAAT to detect CT should be phased step-by-step by different areas and levels of hospitals according to the current situation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jun Liu
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Peter Kim
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
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Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis, one species of Chlamydia spp., has the greatest impact on human health and is the main cause of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases and preventable blindness among all Chamydia spp. species. The obligate intracellular parasitism and unique biphasic developmental cycle of C. trachomatis are the main barriers for the development of tools of genetic manipulation. The past decade has witnessed significant gains in genetic manipulation of C. trachomatis, including chemical mutagenesis, group II intron-based targeted gene knockout, fluorescence-reported allelic exchange mutagenesis (FRAEM), CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) and the recently developed transposon mutagenesis. In this review, we discuss the current status of genetic manipulations of C. trachomatis and highlights new challenges in the nascent field of Chlamydia genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiang Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Danni Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jun Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
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Lee J, Cox JV, Ouellette SP. The Unique N-Terminal Domain of Chlamydial Bactofilin Mediates Its Membrane Localization and Ring-Forming Properties. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0009223. [PMID: 37191556 PMCID: PMC10294636 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00092-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen. In evolving to the intracellular niche, Chlamydia has reduced its genome size compared to other bacteria and, as a consequence, has a number of unique features. For example, Chlamydia engages the actin-like protein MreB, rather than the tubulin-like protein FtsZ, to direct peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis exclusively at the septum of cells undergoing polarized cell division. Interestingly, Chlamydia possesses another cytoskeletal element-a bactofilin ortholog, BacA. Recently, we reported BacA is a cell size-determining protein that forms dynamic membrane-associated ring structures in Chlamydia that have not been observed in other bacteria with bactofilins. Chlamydial BacA possesses a unique N-terminal domain, and we hypothesized this domain imparts the membrane-binding and ring-forming properties of BacA. We show that different truncations of the N terminus result in distinct phenotypes: removal of the first 50 amino acids (ΔN50) results in large ring structures at the membrane whereas removal of the first 81 amino acids (ΔN81) results in an inability to form filaments and rings and a loss of membrane association. Overexpression of the ΔN50 isoform altered cell size, similar to loss of BacA, suggesting that the dynamic properties of BacA are essential for the regulation of cell size. We further show that the region from amino acid 51 to 81 imparts membrane association as appending it to green fluorescent protein (GFP) resulted in the relocalization of GFP from the cytosol to the membrane. Overall, our findings suggest two important functions for the unique N-terminal domain of BacA and help explain its role as a cell size determinant. IMPORTANCE Bacteria use a variety of filament-forming cytoskeletal proteins to regulate and control various aspects of their physiology. For example, the tubulin-like FtsZ recruits division proteins to the septum whereas the actin-like MreB recruits peptidoglycan (PG) synthases to generate the cell wall in rod-shaped bacteria. Recently, a third class of cytoskeletal protein has been identified in bacteria-bactofilins. These proteins have been primarily linked to spatially localized PG synthesis. Interestingly, Chlamydia, an obligate intracellular bacterium, does not have PG in its cell wall and yet possesses a bactofilin ortholog. In this study, we characterize a unique N-terminal domain of chlamydial bactofilin and show that this domain controls two important functions that affect cell size: its ring-forming and membrane-associating properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junghoon Lee
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - John V. Cox
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Scot P. Ouellette
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Vaikundam Subramanian A, Nagarajan S, Santhana Kumarasamy P. Aftermath of Chlamydia Trachomatis - The Tip of an Iceberg in Female Reproductive Health. J Mother Child 2023; 27:102-106. [PMID: 37843972 PMCID: PMC10578464 DOI: 10.34763/jmotherandchild.20232701.d-23-00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The magnitude of infertile couples worldwide was found to be 60-80 million. Genital infection due to Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) which may present as PID, leading to ectopic pregnancy, infertility or other adverse health outcomes. This study was done to assess the prevalence of C. trachomatis infections among female patients with infertility using real time PCR (RT-PCR) and to compare the findings of molecular testing with hysterosalpingography (HSG) and ultrasonography (USG). MATERIAL AND METHODS 50 endocervical swabs were collected from women of reproductive age group attending infertility clinic and stored at -80 ºC. DNA extraction was done with Helini bacterial mini spin kit and tested for C. trachomatis DNA by RT-PCR kit. RESULTS Of the 50 patients, 43 (86%) had primary infertility, and 7 (14%) had secondary infertility. Three (6%) were positive for C. trachomatis by RT-PCR. Two had primary infertility and one had secondary infertility. CONCLUSION Routine screening of C. trachomatis even in high-risk populations is not available in developing countries like India. The World Health Organization recommends syndromic approach for case management. Hence, a cost-effective, highly sensitive and specific test is the pressing priority in resource poor settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sruthi Nagarajan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tirunelveli Medical College, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
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Chiarelli TJ, Grieshaber NA, Appa C, Grieshaber SS. Computational Modeling of the Chlamydial Developmental Cycle Reveals a Potential Role for Asymmetric Division. mSystems 2023; 8:e0005323. [PMID: 36927072 PMCID: PMC10134819 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00053-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that progresses through an essential multicell form developmental cycle. Infection of the host is initiated by the elementary body (EB). Once in the host, the EB cell differentiates into the noninfectious, but replication-competent, reticulate body, or RB. After multiple rounds of replication, RBs undergo secondary differentiation, eventually producing newly infectious EBs. Here, we generated paired cell-type promoter reporter constructs and determined the kinetics of the activities of the euo, hctA, and hctB promoters. The paired constructs revealed that the developmental cycle produces at least three phenotypically distinct cell types, the RB (euoprom+), intermediate body (IB; hctAprom+), and EB (hctBprom+). The kinetic data from the three dual-promoter constructs were used to generate two computational agent-based models to reproduce the chlamydial developmental cycle. Both models simulated EB germination, RB amplification, IB formation, and EB production but differed in the mechanism that generated the IB. The direct conversion and the asymmetric production models predicted different behaviors for the RB population, which were experimentally testable. In agreement with the asymmetric production model, RBs acted as stem cells after the initial amplification stage, producing one IB and self-renewing after every division. We also demonstrated that IBs are a transient cell population, maturing directly into EBs after formation without the need for cell division. The culmination of these results suggests that the developmental cycle can be described by a four-stage model, EB germination, RB amplification/maturation, IB production, and EB formation. IMPORTANCE Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen responsible for both ocular and sexually transmitted infections. All Chlamydiae are reliant on a complex developmental cycle, consisting of both infectious and noninfectious cell forms. The EB cell form initiates infection, whereas the RB cell replicates. The infectious cycle requires both cell types, as RB replication increases the cell population while EB formation disseminates the infection to new hosts. The mechanisms of RB-to-EB development are largely unknown. Here, we developed unique dual promoter reporters and used live-cell imaging and confocal microscopy to visualize the cycle at the single-cell and kinetic levels. These data were used to develop and test two agent-based models, simulating either direct conversion of RBs to EBs or production of EBs via asymmetric RB division. Our results suggest that RBs mature into a stem cell-like population producing intermediate cell forms through asymmetric division, followed by maturation of the intermediate cell type into the infectious EB. Ultimately, a more complete mechanistic understanding of the developmental cycle will lead to novel therapeutics targeting cell type development to eliminate chlamydial dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cody Appa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
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Carter KA, Fischer MD, Petrova MI, Balkus JE. Epidemiologic Evidence on the Role of Lactobacillus iners in Sexually Transmitted Infections and Bacterial Vaginosis: A Series of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Sex Transm Dis 2023; 50:224-235. [PMID: 36729966 PMCID: PMC10006306 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Although Lactobacillus crispatus -dominated vaginal microbiotas are thought to protect against bacterial vaginosis (BV) and sexually transmitted infections, the role of Lactobacillus iners -dominated microbiotas is less clear. To better understand the impact of L. iners on common cervicovaginal infections, we conducted systematic reviews of the associations between L. iners compared with L. crispatus and 8 outcomes: Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), BV, human papillomavirus, cervical dysplasia, human immunodeficiency virus, genital herpes, Trichomonas vaginalis , and Neisseria gonorrhoeae . On April 30, 2021, we searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for epidemiologic studies of reproductive-age, nonpregnant, cisgender women that used marker gene sequencing to characterize vaginal microbiota composition and presented an effect estimate for the association between L. iners , compared with L. crispatus , and outcomes of interest. For outcomes with ≥3 eligible results presenting the same form of effect estimate, we conducted random-effects meta-analysis. The review protocol was registered prospectively (PROSPERO CRD42020214775). Six Ct studies were included in meta-analysis, which showed L. iners -dominated microbiotas were associated with 3.4-fold higher odds of Ct compared with L. crispatus -dominated microbiotas (95% confidence interval, 2.1-5.4). Three BV studies were included in meta-analysis, which indicated L. iners -dominated microbiotas were associated with 2.1-fold higher prevalence of BV compared with L. crispatus -dominated microbiotas (95% confidence interval, 0.9-4.9). Evidence was too sparse to perform meta-analysis for the remaining outcomes. L. iners -dominated vaginal microbiotas may be suboptimal compared with L. crispatus -dominated microbiotas for BV and Ct. These reviews highlight evidence gaps regarding the remaining outcomes and opportunities to improve epidemiologic rigor in vaginal microbiome science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla A. Carter
- From the Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Molly D. Fischer
- From the Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Jennifer E. Balkus
- From the Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
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Contag CA, Lu J, Renfro ZT, Karan A, Salinas JL, Khan M, Solis D, Sahoo MK, Yamamoto F, Pinsky BA. Retrospective Screening of Clinical Samples for Monkeypox Virus DNA, California, USA, 2022. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:848-850. [PMID: 36918374 PMCID: PMC10045697 DOI: 10.3201/eid2904.221576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
We retrospectively screened oropharyngeal and rectal swab samples originally collected in California, USA, for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae testing for the presence of monkeypox virus DNA. Among 206 patients screened, 17 (8%) had samples with detectable viral DNA. Monkeypox virus testing from mucosal sites should be considered for at-risk patients.
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Caven LT, Brinkworth AJ, Carabeo RA. Chlamydia trachomatis induces the transcriptional activity of host YAP in a Hippo-independent fashion. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1098420. [PMID: 36923592 PMCID: PMC10008951 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1098420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis is the causative agent of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease worldwide. While the host response to infection by this pathogen has been well characterized, it remains unclear to what extent host gene expression during infection is the product of Chlamydia-directed modulation of host transcription factors. Methods To identify transcription factors potentially modulated by Chlamydia during infection, we infected immortalized endocervical epithelial cells (End1/E6E7) with the anogenital C. trachomatis serovar L2, harvesting polyadenylated RNA for bulk RNA-sequencing. Subsequent experiments elucidating the mechanism of infection-mediated YAP activation assayed YAP target gene expression via qRT-PCR, YAP nuclear translocation via quantitative immunofluorescence, and YAP phosphorylation via Western blotting. Results RNA sequencing of Chlamydia-infected endocervical epithelial cells revealed gene expression consistent with activity of YAP, a transcriptional coactivator implicated in cell proliferation, wound healing, and fibrosis. After confirming induction of YAP target genes during infection, we observed an infection-dependent increase in YAP nuclear translocation sensitive to inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis. While Hippo-mediated phosphoinhibition of YAP at S127 was unaffected by C. trachomatis infection, Hippo-independent phosphorylation at Y357 was increased. Infection did not enhance nuclear translocation of Y357F mutant YAP, illustrating a requirement for phosphorylation at this residue. Pharmacological inhibition of host Src-family kinase activity attenuated YAP Y357 phosphorylation, but not nuclear translocation - which was instead sensitive to inhibition of Abl. Discussion Our results define a transcriptome-altering mechanism of pathogen-directed YAP activation that bypasses canonical inhibition by the Hippo kinase cascade, with a potential link to chlamydial fibrosis and other advanced disease sequelae. Additional study is required to determine the specific role of infection-associated Y357 phosphorylation and Abl activity in chlamydial induction of YAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam T. Caven
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Amanda J. Brinkworth
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Rey A. Carabeo
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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