Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2025; 27(3):268-274
To investigate the genetic diversity of the Russian population of C. trachomatis.
We analyzed 42 clinical isolates of C. trachomatis obtained in 2024. MLST typing was performed using the Uppsala scheme (genes CT058, CT144, CT172, hctB, pbpB) and sequencing of the ompA gene for serotype determination.
8 serotypes (E – 50.0% predominates) and 26 sequence types (ST) were identified, including 8 new ones (19.0% of isolates). The prevailing ST56 (33.3%) differs from global trends (ST3). A rare serotype B (trachoma) was found in urogenital samples, which may indicate recombination between biovars.
The revealed significant genetic diversity of C. trachomatis strains circulating in Russia, with the dominance of serotype E (50.0%) and sequence type ST56 (33.3%), is partially consistent with global trends, but has important regional differences. The absence of ST3, which is widespread in other countries, and the identification of 8 new STs (19.0% of isolates) highlight unique features of the Russian pathogen population. The detection of serotype B (trachoma) in urogenital samples confirms the possibility of recombination between different biovars and the need to track cross-border drifts of the pathogen. The data obtained indicate the necessity to expand the study of the genetic diversity of chlamydia in Russia and emphasize the importance of standardizing molecular typing methods. Further studies with a larger sample size from different regions of Russia will make it possible to clarify the identified patterns and mechanisms of genetic variability of the pathogen, as well as to assess the impact of migration processes on the population structure.