Molecular Typing of Syphilis-Causing Strains Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patients in Antwerp, Belgium

Sex Transm Dis. 2017 Jun;44(6):376-379. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000600.

Abstract

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and sequencing-based treponeme typing was used to analyze 72 blood samples, collected from human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis co-infected patients during 2014 to 2015 in Antwerp, Belgium. Twenty-nine (40.3%) isolates were polymerase chain reaction positive for Treponema pallidum, and all tested were macrolide-resistant. Four genotypes were identified by sequencing-based typing including two new genotypes, U4NR8 and SU9R8, whereas enhanced Centers for Disease Control and Prevention typing revealed 7 subtypes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • HIV Seropositivity / complications
  • HIV Seropositivity / epidemiology
  • HIV Seropositivity / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Macrolides / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Typing*
  • Point Mutation
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / genetics
  • Syphilis / complications
  • Syphilis / drug therapy
  • Syphilis / epidemiology
  • Syphilis / microbiology*
  • Treponema pallidum / classification*
  • Treponema pallidum / genetics*
  • Treponema pallidum / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Macrolides
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 23S