Chlamydia trachomatis intra-bacterial and total plasmid copy number in clinical urogenital samples

J.A.M.C. Dirks*, K. Janssen, C.J.P.A. Hoebe, T.H.B. Geelen, M. Lucchesi, N.H.T.M. Dukers-Muijrers, P.F.G. Wolffs

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) increases its plasmid numbers when stressed, as occurs in clinical trachoma samples. Most CT tests target the plasmid to increase the test sensitivity, but some only target the chromosome. We investigated clinical urogenital samples for total plasmid copy numbers to assess its diagnostic value and intra-bacterial plasmid copy numbers to assess its natural variation. Both plasmid and chromosome copies were quantified using qPCR, and the plasmid:chromosome ratio (PCr) calculated in two cohorts: (1) 383 urogenital samples for the total PCR (tPCr), and (2) 42 vaginal swabs, with one half treated with propium-monoazide (PMA) to prevent the quantification of extracellular DNA and the other half untreated to allow for both tPCr and intra-bacterial PCr (iPCr) quantification. Mann-Whitney U tests compared PCr between samples, in relation to age and gender. Cohort 1: tPCr varied greatly (1-677, median 16). Median tPCr was significantly higher in urines than vaginal swabs (32 vs. 11, p<0.001). Cohort 2: iPCr was more stable than tPCr (range 0.1-3 vs. 1-11). To conclude, tPCr in urogenital samples was much more variable than previously described. Transport time and temperature influences DNA degradation, impacting chromosomal DNA more than plasmids and urine more than vaginal samples. Data supports a plasmid target in CT screening assays to increase clinical sensitivity.
Original languageEnglish
Article number259
Number of pages6
JournalScientific Reports
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jan 2021

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Chlamydia trachomatis intra-bacterial and total plasmid copy number in clinical urogenital samples'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this