Genotyping of Chlamydia trachomatis would improve contact tracing

BACKGROUND: The reported number of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infections has increased 15% annually since 1997 in Sweden. Inaccurate partner notification might be one reason. GOAL: The goals were to determine if genotyping of C trachomatis would improve partner notification and to study the duration of infection. STUDY DESIGN: Sexual networks were constructed. C trachomatis isolates from 231 individuals attending the Orebro STD clinic during 1 year were typed by sequencing of the omp1 gene. RESULTS: All individuals were traced and diagnoses were established in 30 of 161 networks. More than one genotype was seen in seven networks. The mean duration of C trachomatis infection in each network was calculated to be 23 weeks. CONCLUSION: Genotyping could be a useful tool in partner notification when there are discrepant or uncommon genotypes. Limited clinic catchment areas create information difficulties that obstruct accurate contact tracing.