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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 8(1)

Still no evidence of new variant Chlamydia trachomatis in England and Wales

Sarah Alexander A B , Filomeno Coelho da Silva A , Fathiya Alhadi A and Catherine Ison A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory, Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, London, NW9 5HT, UK.

B Corresponding author. Email: Sarah.Alexander@hpa.org.uk

Sexual Health 8(1) 74-75 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH10010
Submitted: 2 February 2010  Accepted: 20 April 2010   Published: 24 January 2011

Abstract

Background: New variant Chlamydia trachomatis (nvCT) remains an important public health concern and in 2008 four cases of nvCT were reported in Scotland. The present study set out to determine whether nvCT was present in England and Wales. Methods: 1054 clinical specimens, which had been confirmed as chlamydia positive (using an nvCT unaffected platform) at nine different diagnostic laboratories throughout England and Wales, were examined for the presence of the 377 bp nvCT deletion. Results: 92% (968/1054) of specimens examined were confirmed as wild-type C. trachomatis. The remaining 86 specimens were found to be untypeable, which was probably due to low levels of DNA. No nvCT specimens were identified. Conclusions: There is currently no evidence that nvCT is present in England and Wales; however, laboratories using nvCT-affected platform should remain vigilant.

Graphical Abstract Image

Additional keywords: nvCT, Swedish mutant.


Acknowledgements

The authors would also like to thank the following people for the provision of specimens: Michelle Graver and Leigh Crocombe (Kings College Hospital), Ian Robinson (Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool), Jill Morgan and Lynda Kazer (Musgrove Park Hospital is part of Taunton and Somerset NHS), Susanne Smith (Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds), Mark Wallis (Derriford Hospital, Plymouth), Andrew Turner and Dave Ellis (Central Manchester University Hospital) and Manfred Almeida (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital), Rella Workman and Matthew Strutt (Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham).


References


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