Is Trachoma disease severity linked to ocular Chlamydia trachomatis pathogen strain variation

What is it about?

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common infectious cause of blindness and bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide. We tested whether the observed variability in severity of clinical disease could be explained in part by Ct strain-specific (genetic) differences. We did this by whole genome sequencing of Ct from ocular samples from a region where trachoma was endemic and public health problem. We found regions of the bacterial chromosome associated with preference for ocular infection and very limited number of loci associated with the severity of trachomatous inflammation.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This is the first Ct genome wide association study with clinical severity and the first where a representative sample of then majority of contemporary strains in circulation in a single population is characteristed. The genome wide scale is not dependent on pre-selecting candidates and therefore uncovers regions or loci not previously associated with tissue tropism and preference for the ocular site of infection. Associatons with the severity of inflammation flags up loci that are potential virulence factors. Equivalent clinical studies in Ct urogenital infection and disease are difficult to conduct but are required.

Perspectives