Ct is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen. Annually, approximately 90 million new cases occur worldwide. Ct can be further divided into three serogroups, and subsequently into 19 serovars, including the five genovariants Ba, Da, Ia, Ga, and L2a. The different serovars of Ct display diverse biological activities. Serovars A, B/Ba, and C are commonly associated with an ocular disease, trachoma. Serovars D/Da, E, F, G/Ga, H, I/Ia, J, and K are common in the urogenital tract, whereas serovar B and C are rarely detected in the urogenital tract. Serovars L1, L2/L2a and L3 are mainly detected in inguinal lymph nodes and the rectum and may cause lymphogranuloma venereum. Highly sensitive detection and serovar differentiation is possible with PCR based molecular methods.
Detection
- Highly sensitive detection of Ct DNA (all known serovars)
- Based on PCR, targeting the Omp1 gene as well as the cryptic plasmid
- Detection with a DNA enzyme immunoassay
- Quick selection method for the Ct genotyping assay
Genotyping by reverse hybridization on strips
- Simultaneous identification of the 14 serovars (A, B/Ba, C, D/Da, E, F, G/Ga, H, I/Ia, J, K, L1, L2/L2a and L3)
- Same amplicons as in the Ct detection method.
- Genotyping by hybridization line probe assay (RHA)
- New variants will be detected with the more conserved serogroup probes
Ct Luminex genotyping by Luminex
- Simultaneous identification of the 14 serovars (A, B/Ba, C, D/Da, E, F, G/Ga, H, I/Ia, J, K, L1, L2/L2a and L3)
- Based on same PCR as detection and strip method
- Detection and Genotyping by a microsphere based suspension array (Luminex system)
- Highly suitable for large epidemiological studies
Samples
- First void urine
- Vaginal, cervical, urethral, anal and conjunctival swabs
- Formalin fixed paraffin embedded biopsies
