Collection and analysis of residual Chlamydia LGV-positive samples
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A High-Resolution Genotyping Survey of Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV) In London Using LGV-Positive Chlamydial DNA Samples Collected From Two London-based Sites
IRAS ID
254542
Contact name
Chloe Elizabeth Manning
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 10 days
Research summary
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV) is an invasive sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and characterised by proctitis (Stoner et al., 2015). Men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) and individuals reporting high-risk sexual activity such as receptive or insertive anal intercourse (RAI or IAI), have the highest incidence of LGV infection (Ward et al., 2009). With 617/919 (67%) total LGV diagnoses in England in 2016 being reported in London, London represents a hot-bed for LGV transmission (Public Health England, 2017). Individuals with LGV-positive sexual contacts, LGV symptoms, or that report RAI or IAI within the last 6 months, are tested for LGV using a rectal swab (White et al., 2013).
Little is known about the genetic diversity that exists within LGV. A preliminary study by our research group on rectal samples from Brighton identified a high level of genetic variation within LGV strains in MSM (Labiran et al., 2016). It is hypothesised that this high level of LGV strain diversity will also be reflected in a London sub-population of LGV-infected individuals, given that London is a much larger yet similarly cosmopolitan city, with a large MSM population (Public Health England, 2017). The proposed Public Health England-funded project will apply high-resolution genotyping methodology to anonymised LGV-positive samples collected from two London-based sites that represent a significant catchment of MSM genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic attendance and available samples, to determine the full nature and extent of genetic variation in LGV strains from infected individuals. This project has a view towards characterisation of LGV sexual networks in a further prospective study, to introduce public health interventions to reduce LGV transmission.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
19/ES/0012
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion