Genital and extragenital infection by Chlamydia trachomatis: Holistic study of patients from Córdoba, Argentina

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the world. Taking into account the different sexual habits of people and the morphological similarity that exists between the oral and cervical epithelium, the objective of this work was to determine the presence of C. trachomatis in oral and genital mucosa of patients from the city of Córdoba, Argentina.

An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out with an interdisciplinary team formed by phisicians (microbiologist, gynecologist, proctologist, infectologist) dentists, biochemists and geneticist. Oral and anogenital 133 samples in 53 patients (31 female and 22 male patients) were obtained in the period of one year (May 2018 / May 2019). Patients included in this study had any injury to any of the mucous studied. Those who did not have injuries or did not want to participate in the study were excluded. The samples underwent DNA extraction. The samples were subsequently analyzed by PCR with primers CTP1 / CTP2 for the detection of the OmpA gene of C. trachomatis.

The age range of the 53 patients studied was 19 to 78 years, with a median of 41 years. Oral and anogenital samples were taken from all of them, after signing the consent approved by the Ethics Committee belonging to the Facultad de Odontología, UNC. Presence of C. trachomatis was found in 16 (30%) patients; 12 (75%) women and 4 (25%) men. Out of the 133 samples studied, 26 (19.5%) were positive; 73% (19/26) in anogenital mucosa and the remaining 27% (7/26) in oral mucosa. Importantly, the presence of C. trachomatis in both mucosae was determined in 8 patients.

It is the first study in Argentina where the patient is studied integrally (oral and anogenital mucous membranes). High prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was detected with a greater tendency in women. These results demonstrate the importance of studying this bacterium in extragenital sites and for this, the interdisciplinary work of the health team is essential to achieve a holistic study of the patient and thus arrive at a good diagnosis and subsequent treatment of the same.