High Prevalence and Genotypic Diversity of Persistent <i>Chlamydia Trachomatis</i> Infections Among South African Adolescent Girls and Young Women: A Tale of Two Cities

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection globally, significantly affecting adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa. This study investigated CT prevalence and genotypic diversity among 298 AGYW from Cape Town and Johannesburg, revealing an overall prevalence of 29.5%. Prevalence was higher in Cape Town (41.6%) compared to Johannesburg (17.4%; P < .0001). Genetic analysis identified 34 sequence types, including 15 novel variants. Longitudinal data highlighted frequent reinfections or persistent infections despite treatment. These findings underscore the importance of addressing CT's genetic diversity for improved reproductive health strategies and vaccine development.

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Publication Details

Journal
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Published
2026-01-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiag023
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Reproductive tract infections research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
24.35
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article

High Prevalence and Genotypic Diversity of Persistent Chlamydia Trachomatis Infections Among South African Adolescent Girls and Young Women: A Tale of Two Cities

Brian Kullin, Nonhlanhla Mkhize, Bart Versteeg, David A. Lewis et al.
1 citations
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Reproductive tract infections research
24.35
article

High Prevalence and Genotypic Diversity of Persistent Chlamydia Trachomatis Infections Among South African Adolescent Girls and Young Women: A Tale of Two Cities

Brian Kullin, Nonhlanhla Mkhize, Bart Versteeg, David A. Lewis, Venessa Maseko, E. E. Muller, J. Timothy PASSMORE, Heather B Jaspan, Linda-Gail Bekker, Shameem Z Jaumdally, Glenda Gray, Darren P Martin, Katherine Gill, Sylvia M Bruisten, Shaun Barnabas
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection globally, significantly affecting adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa. This study investigated CT prevalence and genotypic diversity among 298 AGYW from Cape Town and Johannesburg, revealing an overall prevalence of 29.5%. Prevalence was higher in Cape Town (41.6%) compared to Johannesburg (17.4%; P < .0001). Genetic analysis identified 34 sequence types, including 15 novel variants. Longitudinal data highlighted frequent reinfections or persistent infections despite treatment. These findings underscore the importance of addressing CT's genetic diversity for improved reproductive health strategies and vaccine development.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
National Health Laboratory Service (ZA), South African Medical Research Council (ZA), Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (ZA), University of Cape Town (ZA), Health Forecasting (US), Groote Schuur Hospital (ZA), Sydney Sexual Health Centre (AU), Research Institute for Knowledge Systems (NL), Seattle Children's Hospital (US), Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa (ZA), Sydney Local Health District (AU), Westmead Institute for Medical Research (AU), Perinatal HIV Research Unit (ZA), Public Health Service of Amsterdam (NL), Institute of Infection and Immunity (CA)
Gender equality
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Reproductive tract infections research
24.35
DOISourceOpenAlex
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