Molecular Typing of Treponema pallidum in South Africa: Cross-Sectional Studies

A Pillay, H Liu, S Ebrahim, CY Chen… - Journal of clinical …, 2002 - Am Soc Microbiol
A Pillay, H Liu, S Ebrahim, CY Chen, W Lai, G Fehler, RC Ballard, B Steiner, AW Sturm…
Journal of clinical microbiology, 2002Am Soc Microbiol
We evaluated a molecular subtyping system for Treponema pallidum for its ability to
differentiate between strains obtained from male patients with primary syphilis in South
Africa. Of 201 T. pallidum-positive specimens, 161 were typeable, revealing 35 subtypes.
The unique subtypes identified in Durban, Cape Town, and Carletonville and the total
number of subtypes suggested that the strain population was very diverse and varied
geographically.
Abstract
We evaluated a molecular subtyping system for Treponema pallidum for its ability to differentiate between strains obtained from male patients with primary syphilis in South Africa. Of 201 T. pallidum-positive specimens, 161 were typeable, revealing 35 subtypes. The unique subtypes identified in Durban, Cape Town, and Carletonville and the total number of subtypes suggested that the strain population was very diverse and varied geographically.
American Society for Microbiology