Diversity of Genotyping Chlamydia Trachomatis Serovars in Urogenital Samples from Mexican Patients: A Molecular and Bioinformatic Characterization

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most frequent bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world. Therefore, the identification of serovars is essential for epidemiological surveillance and the development of prevention methods in our population. We aimed to demonstrate the diversity and frequency of serovars of CT in the urogenital tract in Mexican patients. We carried out an observational, prospective and cross-sectional study through 40 samples positive for CT. For the serovars identification, PCR multiplex, PCR of the ompA gene, automated sequencing, multiple sequence alignment, and phylogenetic analysis were used. Moreover, the variables like serovars, sex, aged groups, anatomical sites and, concomitant pathogens, were statistically analyzed. We reported that the prevalence of the most common serovars in our Mexican population were F (38.1%), E (27.3%) and, D (18.2%). Serovar F was the most prevalent in men, meanwhile, serovar D was in women and, E was equally prevalent in both genders. The most common concomitant pathogens were Ureaplasma spp. (22.7%), Mycoplasma spp. (13.6%) and, Haemophilus spp. (9.1%). In summary, epidemiological surveillance remarks the necessity of detecting serovars CT to elucidate the molecular implication and reduce sexual and reproductive complications.