Analysis of Treponema pallidum Strains From China Using Improved Methods for Whole-Genome Sequencing From Primary Syphilis Chancres

J Infect Dis. 2021 Mar 3;223(5):848-853. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa449.

Abstract

Background: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (TPA) has been constrained by the lack of in vitro cultivation methods for isolating spirochetes from patient samples.

Methods: We built upon recently developed enrichment methods to sequence TPA directly from primary syphilis chancre swabs collected in Guangzhou, China.

Results: By combining parallel, pooled whole-genome amplification with hybrid selection, we generated high-quality genomes from 4 of 8 chancre-swab samples and 2 of 2 rabbit-passaged isolates, all subjected to challenging storage conditions.

Conclusions: This approach enabled the first WGS of Chinese samples without rabbit passage and provided insights into TPA genetic diversity in China.

Keywords: Treponema pallidum; China; chancre; syphilis; whole-genome sequencing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chancre* / diagnosis
  • Chancre* / microbiology
  • China
  • Humans
  • Rabbits
  • Syphilis* / diagnosis
  • Syphilis* / microbiology
  • Treponema pallidum / classification*
  • Treponema pallidum / genetics
  • Whole Genome Sequencing

Supplementary concepts

  • Syphilis, primary