Original paper Correlation of serotypes, molecular and biological characteristics of Chlamydia trachomatis and clinical manifestations of Chlamydia infection

Aim: This study aimed to establish the correlation between serotypes, molecular and biological characteristics of and various clinical manifestations of Chlamydia infection. Material and methods: Quantitative evaluation of specific ompA fragments of a Chlamydia trachomatis gene as well as DNA synthesis were performed applying PCR in a real-time mode (Rotor-Gene 3000, Australia) with application of species-specific primers and TaqMan oligonucleotide tests. Standardization of the study was made against the NAGK one-copy human gene. Successions of primers, probes and conditions of amplification for quantitative evaluation of the NAGK human gene were adapted from the work by Gotoh et al. (2005). Serotyping of C. trachomatis was performed by PCR sequencing with application of couples of primers for detection of variable domains (VDI-VDIV) of the omp1 gene. Results: Predominant distribution of serotypes D (54.7%), K (35.7%) and (9.6%) of C. trachomatis has been revealed. In 94-95% of cases there is homology with standard D/B120 (X62918), D/B185 (X62919), K/UW31/Cx (AF063204) cultures. Nineteen isolates, isolated from the biological material and identified as serotype D, had 2 different nucleotides of D/B185 or D/B120 omp1 in positions 574 and 843, while 4 samples tended to have additional nucleotide change in position 1042. Fifteen isolates, identified as serovar K, had two different nucleotides of the K/UW31/Cx omp1 gene in positions 503 and 628, while 4 isolates, identified as serovar C, had 4 different nucleotides of the C/TW-3/OT omp1 gene in positions 569, 571, 972 or 1003. Conclusions: Serotypes D and K of C. trachomatis turned out to be the most frequent cause of pathology of the urogenital tract. An associative correlation has been noted between C and K C. trachomatis serotypes. These two serovariants of C. trachomatis tend to more often possess resistance to antibiotics, which can serve as the main cause of development of arthropathic forms (Reiter’s syndrome) and sterility in women.