Difference in distribution of chlamydia trachomatis genotypes among different provinces: A pilot study from four provinces in China

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis genovars in male sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic patients from 1 province in eastern China (Jiangsu) and 3 provinces in southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan). Urine specimens (n = 140) were collected from 46 public STD clinics in the 4 provinces. Specimens that tested positive for C. trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction were genotyped for the infecting C. trachomatis strain by amplifying and sequencing the genovar-specific ompA gene, which encodes the chlamydial major outermembrane protein. Nine C. trachomatis genovars were identified from 129 specimens; they consisted of the F (25.6z), E (17.1z), J (16.3z), D (15.5z), G (11.6z), K (5.4z), H (3.9z), I (1.6z), and B (0.8z) genovars. Nine genovars were found in specimens from Guangxi province, 6 were found in specimens from each of Guangdong and Hainan provinces, but only 5 were found in specimens from Jiangsu province. Genovar G/Ga was shown to be endemic among male patients in southern China.