The molecular epidemiology of genital Chlamydia trachomatis in the greater Reykjavik area, Iceland

BACKGROUND: The diversity in MOMP (major outer membrane protein) of Chlamydia trachomatis is thought to be necessary for the bacteria to survive in its environment. The rate of change in the omp1 gene (coding for MOMP) is not known. Iceland offers a good opportunity to study the epidemiology of chlamydial infections because the population is small (280,000) and geographically well defined. GOAL: The goal was to determine the number and distribution of genotypes in a population attending the STD clinic in Reykjavík and to assess changes in omp1 sequences over a period of 2 years. STUDY DESIGN: Three-hundred thirty isolates of C trachomatis collected periodically from January 1999 to January 2001 were omp1 genotyped with nested PCR and sequencing. RESULTS: The serotypes found, in descending order of prevalence, were E, D, J, F, K, G, H, and I. Eighteen distinctive genotypes were found. During the study period no significant changes in frequency of genotypes were noted, and introduction of new or changed genotypes was not observed. CONCLUSION: The results indicate a relatively stable situation of genotypes and suggest an ecological advantage of serotype E.