Determination of Asymptomatic Chlamydia Trachomatis Infections by Omp1 Gene Based -PCR

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research was to determine the prevalenceof genital C. trachomatis infection in asymptomatic women by using highlysensitive nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in urine sample.Materials and Methods: One hundred-forty asymptomatic women wererandomly selected from those who attended gynecology out patient departmentof Hazraat e Rasool Hospital in Tehran. First catch urine specimen were collectedfrom all the participants. DNA extraction was performed by means of HighPure PCR Template Preparation Kit (HPPTP) according to the manufacture’sinstructions. Extracted DNA was tested by omp1 gene based nested-PCR,using sets of primers to amplify C. trachomatis omp1 gene. Visualizationof a 1027 bp fragment from omp1 gene in agarose gel electrophoresis wasconsidered as a positive result.Results: In total, 140 urines were tested for determination of C. trachomatisinfection. C. trachomatis omp-1 was detected in 22.1% of cases (31/140). Theoverall prevalence rates of C. trachomatis in the urine sample as determined byomp1 based nested-PCR were 4.3% in group I (age, 44 years). The highest prevalence of C. trachomatis infection (12.1%) wasseen in women aged 25-34 years. This finding was not statistically significant(p=0.710). Also, there was not relation between C. trachomatis infection andsome probable risk factors such as young age (<25 years), STD history andmissing use of barrier contraceptive in this study.Conclusion: The prevalence of C.trachomatis infection in the women notseeking health care warrants more comprehensive study using high sensitiveomp1 based nested- PCR to identify and treat a large number of infectedwomen in Iran.

Keywords

• Chlamydia Trachomatis
• Asymptomatic Infection
• omp1 Gene
• Nested-PCR
• Urine Sample