AUTHOR=Liu Lan-lan , Sun Si , Zhang Li , Wu Qiu-hong , Tian Li-shan , Li Bo , Chen Xiang-sheng , Luo Zhen-zhou 

TITLE=Distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis ompA genotypes and its association with abnormal cervical cytology among women of reproductive age in Shenzhen, China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1036264

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.1036264

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p>Many studies have focused on the distribution and specific clinical symptoms caused by <italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</italic>. Still, relatively few studies have focused on the associations between <italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</italic> genotypes and cervical intraepithelial lesions.</p></sec><sec><title>Objectives</title><p>This study was conducted to determine the distribution of <italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</italic> genotypes and its associations with cervical intraepithelial lesions among women of reproductive age. The presence of other STIs coinfection was also evaluated.</p></sec><sec><title>Method</title><p>375 <italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</italic> positive cervical swabs collected from women of reproductive age were analyzed though molecular assay. Multivariate logistic regression analyses (covariates include contraception, gravidity (≥1), abnormal vaginal discharge, adverse pregnancy outcomes, reproductive tract symptoms and abnormal cervical cytology) were performed to evaluate the associations between <italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</italic> genotypes and cervical intraepithelial lesions and genital clinical symptoms.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Among 375 <italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</italic> positive cervical swabs, the prevalence of coinfection with <italic>Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginitis, Vulvovaginal candidiasis</italic>, and HPV were 0.8%, 2.7%, 2.4%, 10.1% and 15.5%, respectively. 306 were genotyped successfully, and nine genotypes were identified. The most common genovar was E (25.16%, 77/306), followed by J (22.55%, 69/306), F (17%, 52/306), D (14.4%, 44/306), K (7.2%, 22/306), G (6.9%, 21/306), H (5.2%, 16/306), B (1.0%, 3/306), Ia (0.7%, 2/306). Genotype H was associated with abnormal cervical cytology [<italic>p</italic> = 0.006, aOR = 8.16 (1.86–36.6)]. However, this study observed no association between <italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</italic> genotypes and any genital clinical symptoms.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p><italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</italic> genotype H may be a high risk factor for cervical intraepithelial lesions, which is useful for treatment and management measures for patients with cervical intraepithelial lesions.</p></sec>