TY - JOUR
T1 - A Chlamydia trachomatis 23S rRNA G1523A variant escaping detection in the Aptima Combo 2 assay (Hologic) was widespread across Denmark in July-September 2019
AU - Hadad, Ronza
AU - Skov Jensen, Jørgen
AU - Westh, Henrik
AU - Grønbaek, Ida
AU - Jessen Schwartz, Lasse
AU - Nielsen, Lene
AU - Müller Vang, Tobias
AU - Nielsen, Rikke
AU - Sandborg Weinreich, Lenette
AU - Skov, Marianne N
AU - Olsen, Marlene
AU - Kjølseth Møller, Jens
AU - Kolmos, Birte
AU - Unemo, Magnus
AU - Hoffmann, Steen
PY - 2020/6
Y1 - 2020/6
N2 - Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection globally, and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are recommended for highly sensitive and specific diagnosis. In early 2019, the Finnish new variant of Chlamydia trachomatis (FI-nvCT) was identified. The FI-nvCT has a C1515T mutation in the 23S rRNA gene, making it escaping detection in the Aptima Combo 2 (AC2; Hologic) NAAT, and the FI-nvCT has been subsequently reported in Sweden and Norway. In the present study, we investigated the presence of the FI-nvCT and other AC2 diagnostic-escape CT mutants in July-September 2019 in Denmark. The FI-nvCT was present but rare in Denmark. However, another AC2 diagnostic-escape CT mutant (with a 23S rRNA G1523A mutation) was found to be widespread across Denmark, accounting for 95% (76/80) of AC2 diagnostic-escape nvCT samples from five Danish CT-diagnostic laboratories. This nvCT-G1523A has previously only been detected in one single sample in the United Kingdom and Norway, respectively. It is vital to monitor the continued stability of the NAAT targets in local, national and international settings and monitor as well as appropriately analyse incidence, unexplained shifts in diagnostics rates, and/or annual collections of samples diagnosed as negative/equivocal using NAATs with different target(s). Furthermore, diagnostic CT NAATs with dual target sequences are crucial and fortunately, an updated Hologic AC2 assay including one additional target sequence is in advanced development.
AB - Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection globally, and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are recommended for highly sensitive and specific diagnosis. In early 2019, the Finnish new variant of Chlamydia trachomatis (FI-nvCT) was identified. The FI-nvCT has a C1515T mutation in the 23S rRNA gene, making it escaping detection in the Aptima Combo 2 (AC2; Hologic) NAAT, and the FI-nvCT has been subsequently reported in Sweden and Norway. In the present study, we investigated the presence of the FI-nvCT and other AC2 diagnostic-escape CT mutants in July-September 2019 in Denmark. The FI-nvCT was present but rare in Denmark. However, another AC2 diagnostic-escape CT mutant (with a 23S rRNA G1523A mutation) was found to be widespread across Denmark, accounting for 95% (76/80) of AC2 diagnostic-escape nvCT samples from five Danish CT-diagnostic laboratories. This nvCT-G1523A has previously only been detected in one single sample in the United Kingdom and Norway, respectively. It is vital to monitor the continued stability of the NAAT targets in local, national and international settings and monitor as well as appropriately analyse incidence, unexplained shifts in diagnostics rates, and/or annual collections of samples diagnosed as negative/equivocal using NAATs with different target(s). Furthermore, diagnostic CT NAATs with dual target sequences are crucial and fortunately, an updated Hologic AC2 assay including one additional target sequence is in advanced development.
KW - 23S rRNA
KW - Aptima Combo 2 assay
KW - C1515T
KW - Chlamydia trachomatis
KW - Denmark
KW - FI-nvCT
KW - G1523A
KW - new variant
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85085151002&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/apm.13043
DO - 10.1111/apm.13043
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 32202687
SN - 0903-4641
VL - 128
SP - 440
EP - 444
JO - APMIS - Journal of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
JF - APMIS - Journal of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
IS - 6
ER -