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C J Meijer

Publications and source records attributed to C J Meijer.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis of cytokine profiles in Epstein-Barr virus-positive and -negative cases of Hodgkin's disease.

Hodgkin's disease (HD) is a malignant lymphoproliferative disease characterized by the presence of Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg cells surrounded by a reactive infiltrate. In Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated cases (40-60%), at least two EBV-encoded proteins [latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and LMP2] are expressed, which are potential targets for cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). Although in EBV-positive cases significantly more activated (granzyme B-positive) CTLs and natural killer (NK) cells are present, the cytotoxic immune response is not sufficient for adequate killing of tumour cells. The production of immunomodulating cytokines within the tumour may be one of the mechanisms causing circumvention of the immune system. This study investigated by immunohistochemistry the presence of the immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) and other Th1/Th2-associated cytokines [IL-2, IL-4, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)] in the neoplastic cells and reactive lymphocytes of nine EBV-positive and 18 EBV-negative cases of HD. The percentage of IL-10-expressing cells, both neoplastic and reactive, in EBV-positive cases was significantly higher (33.1% vs. 18.5% for the neoplastic cells and 21.6% and 12.2% for the reactive cells, p=0.003 and 0.04, respectively) than in EBV-negative cases. No difference in the percentage of IL-2-, IL-4- and IFN-gamma-expressing cells was observed. These results suggest that escape from local immune surveillance is not due to a shift from Th1 towards Th2, but may be caused by a direct effect of IL-10 on the cytotoxic cells.

Cytokines↗
PubMed2000

p53 immunoexpression in non-malignant oral mucosa adjacent to oral squamous cell carcinoma: potential consequences for clinical management.

p53 is a tumour suppressor gene encoding a protein whose function is impaired in a very large proportion of human cancers. The objectives of this study were to determine the natural history of p53 alterations during stages of oral carcinogenesis, by comparing p53 immunoexpression in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), their non-malignant adjacent mucosa, and respective metastases; and to define the potential practical consequences for clinical management of p53 staining in the non-malignant adjacent mucosa. Forty-two samples of non-malignant mucosa adjacent to OSCCs, the respective carcinomas, and six lymph node metastases derived from six of the OSCCs were investigated for p53 protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Seven out of 42 (17%) non-malignant mucosal samples immediately adjacent to OSCC showed suprabasal p53 staining and this was significantly associated with moderate/severe dysplasia (p=0.02). In six of these cases (86%), the respective carcinoma showed p53 immunoexpression in more than 50% of the neoplastic cells and in the remaining case, p53 immunoexpression was found in more than 25% of the neoplastic cells. In all p53-negative carcinomas that showed p53 immunoexpression in the non-malignant adjacent mucosa, p53 staining was never detected above the basal cell layer. Lymph node metastases showed the same patterns of p53 immunoexpression as the carcinomas from which they were derived. When suprabasal p53 staining is present in non-malignant mucosa immediately adjacent to OSCCs, this suggests stable p53 alterations which are maintained upon progression to overt malignancy. The immunostaining in non-malignant mucosa of the resection margins of OSCCs might be a valuable predictor for local recurrences and may therefore have implications for the management of patients who have received surgical treatment for OSCC.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Epstein-Barr virus is present in neoplastic cytotoxic T cells in extranodal, and predominantly in B cells in nodal T non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive T non-Hodgkin lymphomas (T-NHLs) have been described, but it is at present unknown how EBV infects T lymphocytes. It has been postulated that cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) or natural killer (NK) cells can be infected by EBV during the killing of an EBV-infected target cell. The objective of this study was therefore to determine whether the neoplastic cells in EBV-positive T-NHLs (n=221) of various locations have a cytotoxic phenotype. To identify EBV-harbouring cells, combinations were used of EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization (RISH) and immunohistochemistry for T- and B-cell markers and the cytotoxic proteins TIA-1 and granzyme B. EBV was detected in the neoplastic cells of all nasal T-NHLs (n=9), 5/34 gastrointestinal (GI) T-NHLs, and 2/6 lung T-NHLs, but not in primary cutaneous T-NHLs (n=103). Moreover, EBV was found in the neoplastic cells of 2/48 nodal anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs), but not in neoplastic T cells of other nodal T-NHLs. However, 5/17 nodal peripheral T-NHLs not otherwise specified (PTCLs NOS) and 1/4 T-prolymphocytic leukaemias did contain EBV-positive non-T cells. Double staining revealed that in EBV-positive extranodal T-NHLs (n=16), the EBER-positive cells had a cytotoxic phenotype (TIA-1- and/or granzyme B-positive). In nodal non-ALCL T-NHLs, the EBER-positive cells were not positive for TIA-1 or granzyme B, nor did they express CD3, CD21 or HECA452. Instead, most of these cells expressed the B-cell marker CD20. These PTCLs NOS with EBER-positive cells showed features of AILD-like T-NHL. It is concluded that neoplastic cells of EBV-positive extranodal T-NHLs always have a cytotoxic phenotype, supporting the view that EBV can infect CTLs. In nodal non-ALCL T-NHL, EBV is only found in T-NHL with AILD-like features and is present in B cells, where it may contribute to the outgrowth of a malignant B-cell clone.

Antigens, CD20↗
PubMed2000

Bioreactor-scale production and one-step purification of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) is expressed in all EBV-associated malignancies and is essential for EBV-genome maintenance. Antibodies to EBNA1 are abundantly detected in serum of most EBV carriers but EBNA1 escapes recognition by effector T-lymphocytes. To further study the functional and immunological characteristics of EBNA1 it is important to have sufficient quantities of purified EBNA1 available. This paper describes a simple, reproducible method for the production and purification of EBV-encoded EBNA1 expressed in insect cells (bEBNA1). For quantification of EBNA1 expression levels in cell lines and for monitoring bEBNA1 purification and overall yields we developed a quantitative and EBNA1-specific capture ELISA. We observed that EBV-positive cell lines express EBNA1 at different levels, with the B cell lymphoblastoid cell line X50/7 having the highest production. However, much larger quantities (380-fold) were obtained by expressing bEBNA1 in recombinant-baculovirus-infected Sf9 insect cells. Scaling-up experiments revealed that bEBNA1 expression kinetics and protein stability are identical in 1-liter stirred bioreactors when compared to expression in stationary culture flasks. Optimal expression was reached after 72 h following inoculation at 1 pfu/cell, when insect cell viability was about 50%. For purification the nuclear fraction containing most of the bEBNA1 (>95%) was isolated. Solubilized bEBNA1 was purified by a one-step oriP DNA-Sepharose affinity purification procedure, using biotinylated PCR-amplified family of repeats (FR)-domain products immobilized onto streptavidin agarose. A >200-fold specific enrichment was reached and yields of bEBNA1 with an estimated purity of >95%.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Coexpression of BMI-1 and EZH2 polycomb group genes in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease.

The human BMI-1 and EZH2 polycomb group (PcG) proteins are constituents of two distinct complexes of PcG proteins with gene regulatory activity. PcG proteins ensure correct embryonic development by suppressing homeobox genes, and they also contribute to regulation of lymphopoiesis. The two PcG complexes are thought to regulate different target genes and probably have different tissue distributions. Altered expression of PcG genes is linked to transformation in cell lines and induction of tumors in mutant mice, but the role of PcG genes in human cancers is relatively unexplored. Using antisera specific for human PcG proteins, we used immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to detect BMI-1 and EZH2 PcG proteins in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease (HRS). The expression patterns were compared to those in follicular lymphocytes of the lymph node, the normal counterparts of HRS cells. In the germinal center, expression of BMI-1 is restricted to resting Mib-1/Ki-67(-) centrocytes, whereas EZH2 expression is associated with dividing Mib-1/Ki-67(+) centroblasts. By contrast, HRS cells coexpress BMI-1, EZH2, and Mib-1/Ki-67. Because HRS cells are thought to originate from germinal center lymphocytes, these observations suggests that Hodgkin's disease is associated with coexpression of BMI-1 and EZH2 in HRS cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Production monitoring and purification of EBV encoded latent membrane protein 1 expressed and secreted by recombinant baculovirus infected insect cells.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is expressed in malignancies with latency type II and III and is an important transforming protein. To further study this protein LMP1 was expressed by and purified from recombinant baculovirus infected Sf9 cells. Expression levels of LMP1 in EBV transformed B cell lines and Sf9 cells were analyzed using a newly developed quantitative LMP1-capture ELISA. Highest expression was found in the cell line X50/7 (6.2 ng/10(7) cells), whereas expression levels of recombinant LMP1 (bLMP1) in Sf9 cells reached 506 ng/10(7) cells. Surprisingly bLMP1 could also be detected in the culture medium as a stable full-length protein. Highest expression in Sf9 cells (506 ng/10(7) cells) was observed at 48 h post infection and in the culture medium (1590 ng/ml) at 96 h post infection. Before purification bLMP1 was solubilised using 0.22 m octyl-beta-glucoside at pH 6.0. Purification of bLMP1 using Q-Sepharose FF yielded 10-80 times enriched bLMP1 fractions, indicating that Q-Sepharose can be used for pre-purification. A one-step monoclonal antibody based immunoaffinity chromatography yielded highly purified bLMP1. Although the overall yields (20 microg purified LMP1 from 100 ml culture supernatant) and protein concentrations were low, higher concentrations of >95% purified BLMP1 could be reached after freeze drying.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Rationale of a new classification for the group of primary cutaneous lymphomas.

In the last decade many studies showed that primary cutaneous lymphomas have another clinical behavior and prognosis, and therefore require a different therapeutic approach, as compared with their primary nodal equivalents. Because, until recently, classification systems for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were purely based on histologic criteria, and did not recognize the special character of these lymphomas, primary cutaneous lymphomas were not uncommonly diagnosed incorrectly and/or treated inappropriately with unnecessarily aggressive therapies. For that reason the Cutaneous Lymphoma Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) proposed a separate classification for the group of primary cutaneous lymphomas. This EORTC classification is consistently based on a combination of clinical, histologic, immunophenotypical and genetic criteria, and includes well-defined and recognizable disease entities. It contains a limited number of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and cutaneous B-cell lymphomas, which together constitute more than 95% of all primary cutaneous lymphomas. Herein, the rationale and the basic principles of the EORTC classification are presented, and the relationship between the EORTC classification and other recent classification systems, such as the Revised European-American Classification for Lymphoid Neoplasms (REAL classification) and the proposed World Health Organization classification, are discussed.

Classification↗
PubMed2000

Skin tests predict survival after autologous tumor cell vaccination in metastatic melanoma: experience in 81 patients.

BACKGROUND: Currently there is no standard adjuvant treatment following surgical resection of metastatic melanoma. We investigated whether surgery followed by autologous tumor cell-BCG vaccination was beneficial for malignant melanoma patients. In this study we focus on the prognostic value of DTH response following vaccination therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-one patients with AJCC stage III and IV melanoma were selected. Whenever feasible, radical metastasectomy was performed. ASI was initiated by the administration of three weekly intra-cutaneous vaccinations with 10(7) irradiated autologous tumor cells, starting four weeks after surgery. Depending on the size of DTH response to the first three injections, subsequent vaccinations were planned. The first two vaccines also contained 10(7) BCG organisms as an immune stimulatory adjuvant. RESULTS: Induration as well as erythema correlated strongly with survival (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0004). After radical metastasectomy in stage III melanoma patients a five-year survival of 48% was observed. In stage IV disease, a five-year survival of 34% was seen, after radical surgery had been performed. When macroscopic disease was present at start of vaccination treatment, no clinical responses occurred. Apart from transient skin ulceration at the site of BCG-containing vaccinations, no serious side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that large-scale preparation of autologous melanoma cell vaccines is feasible. while vaccination results in DTH responses that correlate significantly with survival. ASI seemed to be beneficial in stage III and stage IV melanoma when given in the adjuvant setting, while causing only very mild side effects.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2000

Expression of Fas and Fas-ligand in primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL): association between lack of Fas expression and aggressive types of CTCL.

BACKGROUND: Fas (CD95; APO-1) is a transmembrane protein that mediates apoptosis upon cross-linking with Fas-ligand (Fas-L). Interaction of Fas-L expressed by cytotoxic T cells with Fas-expressing tumour cells plays an important part in antitumour immune responses. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate Fas and Fas-L expression in frozen and paraffin-embedded material from a large group of patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). METHODS: Immunostaining with monoclonal antibodies against Fas and Fas-L was performed in material from 23 patients with mycosis fungoides (MF), 10 with lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), 10 with CD30-positive primary cutaneous large T-cell lymphoma (LTCL) and nine with CD30-negative LTCL. The results were correlated with the type and stage of CTCL and clinical features. RESULTS: Expression of Fas by the large majority of the neoplastic T cells was observed in 15 of 15 cases of plaque-stage MF, 10 of 10 cases of LyP and 10 of 10 cases of CD30-positive LTCL, but only in four of 12 cases of tumour-stage MF and two of nine cases of CD30-negative LTCL. In three of four MF patients in whom both plaques and tumours could be studied, a significant decrease in Fas expression was observed with progression from plaque-stage to tumour-stage disease. Fas-L was expressed by > 50% of the neoplastic T cells in 46 of 56 biopsies, and no clear relationship with type of CTCL and clinical behaviour was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates loss of Fas expression in aggressive types of CTCL, but not in indolent types of CTCL. These data suggest that loss of Fas receptor expression may be one of the mechanisms that allow tumour cells to escape an effective immune response, and may contribute to the unfavourable prognosis of some types of CTCL.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed2000

All infiltrating T-lymphocytes in Hodgkin's disease express immunohistochemically detectable T-cell receptor zeta-chains in situ.

AIM: We studied the expression of TCR zeta-chain on tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes in EBV-positive and EBV-negative cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD), to assess whether downregulation of TCR zeta-chain on tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes might be a mechanism for immune escape of the neoplastic cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: By immunohistochemistry we investigated tissue of 27 cases of primary HD, both paraffin embedded and frozen, for the presence of T-cell receptor complex zeta-chain and other T-cell markers on the reactive cells. Strong membranous staining of TCR zeta-chain was present in all cases in frozen tissue. In contrast, in paraffin-embedded material substantial loss of TCR zeta-chain was detected in old (> 6 years) tissues. However, no differences in either the number of positive cells or their staining intensity were observed in EBV-positive and negative cases of HD as detected in frozen tissue. Storage of paraffin-embedded tissue leads to a rapid and substantial loss of TCR zeta-chain reactivity compared to frozen material of the same HD cases. Staining reactivity of other T-cell markers (CD3, CD4 and CD8) on paraffin-embedded material remained unaffected. Immunofluorescent double-staining confirmed colocalization and coexpression of TCR zeta-chain and CD3. CONCLUSIONS: In frozen biopsies of primary HD TCR zeta-chain was expressed on all reactive CD3-positive cells, both in EBV-positive and EBV-negative cases. This suggests that zeta-chain downregulation is not a likely mechanism whereby neoplastic cells of HD can escape immune surveillance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

A simplified and reliable HPV testing of archival Papanicolaou-stained cervical smears: application to cervical smears from cancer patients starting with cytologically normal smears.

The efficacy of four methods to recover DNA from Papanicolaou (Pap)-stained archival cervical smears for optimal detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA by GP5+/bioGP6+ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was investigated. Two of the methods were based on proteinase K treatment and two based on treatment with guanidinium thiocyanate (GTC). The quality of the DNA as measured by PCR assays amplifying different sizes of the beta-globin gene appeared to be superior for the GTC-based assays. Using competitive beta-globin PCR assays, one of the GTC-based, assays, provisionally named High Pure PCR Template Preparation (HPPTP) assay, yielded by far the highest quantity of amplifiable DNA. It allowed the recovery of 2.2 x 10(5) to 3 x 10(5) genome equivalents in smears containing 5 x 10(5) to 20 x 10(5) nucleated cells, indicating a mean efficiency of 26% (range of 15-44%). In contrast, the other methods revealed markedly lower efficiencies varying from 1% to 10%. The use of the HPPTP assay as a reliable processing procedure was validated by demonstrating a complete agreement in HPV detection and 93% agreement in HPV typing between 39 archival Pap-stained and paired fresh-frozen cervical smears. This method was applied to 40 archival smears from ten cervical cancer patients (selected from a group of 200 patients) which had a history of 3-6 smears with the first smear being Pap 1 or 2 taken at least 5 years before cancer was diagnosed. The average time period between the first Pap 1/2 smear that contained the same HPV type as in the corresponding carcinoma and diagnosis of cervical cancer was 12.0 +/- 2.9 years. All subsequent smears were invariably positive for the same HPV type which was also found in the cervical cancer biopsy. In conclusion, the HPPTP assay provides a reliable and efficient means to extract DNA from Pap-stained archival cervical smears for the detection of HPV DNA by PCR and would be the method of choice for future HPV analysis of archival Pap-stained cervical smears.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed2000

Etiology of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.

OBJECTIVE: To review the epidemiology of invasive cancer of the penis based on scientific publications identified by a Medline search from 1966-2000 for the keywords penis/penile, cancer/carcinoma and risk as well as the cited references in the identified papers. RESULTS: Strong risk factors (OR >10) identified by case-control studies included phimosis, chronic inflammatory conditions such as balanopostitis and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and treatment with psoralen and ultraviolet A photochemotheraphy (PUVA). A consistent association was found between penile cancer and smoking that was dose-dependent and not explained by investigated confounding factors such as sexual history. Sexual history and self-reported history of condyloma were associated with a 3-5-fold increased penile cancer risk. Cervical cancer in the wife was not consistently associated with cancer of the penis in the husband. Circumcision was associated with penile cancer risk in ecological studies. In a case-control study, circumcision neonatally, but not after the neonatal period, was associated with a 3-fold decreased risk, albeit 20% of penile cancer patients had been circumcised neonatally. In a large number of case series, human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA was identified in penile neoplastic tissue. In penile intraepithelial neoplasia, between 70 and 100% of lesions were HPV DNA positive, whereas invasive penile cancer was positive in only 40-50% of cases. A few serological case-control studies and one prospective study also identified an association between HPV type 16 and penile cancer risk. An association between penile cancer risk and HPV prevalence in the population was also suggested by ecological studies. CONCLUSION: The evidence on risk factors for penile cancer suggests that preventive measures that could be considered include prevention of phimosis, treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions, limiting PUVA treatment, smoking cessation and prophylactic prevention of HPV infection.

Carcinoma in Situ↗
PubMed2000

Human papillomavirus infection in Danish female sex workers. Decreasing prevalence with age despite continuously high sexual activity.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) has been found to decrease with age, but whether this applies to all populations is not clear. Knowledge about the generalizability of this age dependency is important to understand the natural history of the infection, but may also have implications in relation to the use of HPV testing in cervical cancer screening. GOAL: To study the prevalence and risk factors for HPV infection in a selected population of female sex workers and to compare the results with persons with different sexual habits from two other populations in the same geographic area. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study among 188 female sex workers from Copenhagen. Data were obtained by personal interviews. Cervical material was collected by a self-administered lavage kit, and HPV testing was done by means of GP5+/6+ primers based on HPV, polymerase chain reaction, enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Among sex workers, age was the most important risk factor for HPV infection. Number of private sex partners in the last 4 months was also a significant risk factor, and a protective effect of condom use was indicated. CONCLUSION: The HPV prevalence is declining in sex workers with age despite continuously high sexual activity, most likely indicating that an immune response is acquired over time.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Disappointing performance of literature-derived selective screening criteria for asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infection in an inner-city population.

BACKGROUND: In an inner-city population with a low prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, selective screening may be indicated to increase the efficiency of screening. GOAL: To evaluate the performance of sets of selective screening criteria for asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infection in an inner-city population. The criteria were derived from reports of studies carried out in various settings. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 5714 women age 15 to 40 years living in Amsterdam were invited for a screening based on home-obtained urine specimens. Criteria identified from the literature were applied to the screening population. A calculated area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC) of greater than 0.75 was considered a good measure of diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: Of the four sets of criteria, selection based on the following determinants showed the highest diagnostic accuracy: younger than 25 years, being unmarried, number of partners during the previous 6 months, Surinam or Antillean origin (black), and vaginal douching (AUC, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.65-0.69). Selection based on age alone showed an AUC of 0.57 (95% CI, 0.55-0.69). CONCLUSION: The performance of selective screening criteria for asymptomatic C trachomatis infection in an inner-city population in Amsterdam was insufficient to recommend its implementation in practice.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Analysis of human papillomavirus type 16 E6 variants in relation to p53 codon 72 polymorphism genotypes in cervical carcinogenesis.

This study aimed to assess the role of specific human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) variants, in combination with p53 codon 72 polymorphism genotypes, in cervical carcinogenesis. An initial sequence analysis of HPV-16 long control, E6 and E7 regions of 53 well-defined cervical samples containing HPV-16 revealed that a T to G transition at nucleotide position 350 within the E6 open reading frame was the most common variation, the frequency of which seemed to decrease with increasing severity of the lesion. Therefore, a total of 246 cervical samples of residents of The Netherlands was specifically analysed for HPV-16 350G/T variants and/or p53 codon 72 genotypes. These comprised HPV-negative normal cervical scrapes (n=40), normal cervical scrapes containing HPV-16 (n=46), scrapes containing HPV-16 from women with abnormal cervical cytology participating in a non-intervention follow-up study without (n=38) and with (n=51) a histologically proven cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) III lesion at the end of the study, and cervical squamous cell carcinomas (n=71). Neither specific HPV-16 350G/T variants nor specific p53 genotypes were associated with a higher risk of developing CIN III or cervical cancer. However, HPV-16 350T variants were significantly over-represented in p53 Arg homozygous women with cervical cancer. This suggests that, in p53 Arg/Arg women, infection with HPV-16 350T variants confers a higher risk of cervical cancer.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Pooling of urine specimens for detection of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infections by PCR in a low-prevalence population: cost-saving strategy for epidemiological studies and screening programs.

Pooling, in groups of five, of urine specimens from asymptomatically infected men in a population with 4% prevalence, as determined by case finding, is 100% sensitive and specific and results in a 60.5% reduction in the number of tests needed. Pooling of urine specimens in groups of 10 for the estimation of population-based prevalence is 96.1% sensitive and 100% specific and saves 90% of the test costs.

Bacteriuria↗
PubMed2000

Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis serovars in men and women with a symptomatic or asymptomatic infection: an association with clinical manifestations?

To determine whether certain Chlamydia trachomatis serovars are preferentially associated with a symptomatic or an asymptomatic course of infection, C. trachomatis serovar distributions were analyzed in symptomatically and asymptomatically infected persons. Furthermore, a possible association between C. trachomatis serovars and specific clinical symptoms was investigated. C. trachomatis-positive urine specimens from 219 asymptomatically infected men and women were obtained from population-based screening programs in Amsterdam. Two hundred twenty-one C. trachomatis-positive cervical and urethral swabs from symptomatically and asymptomatically infected men and women were obtained from several hospital-based departments. Serovars were determined using PCR-based genotyping, i.e., restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the nested-PCR-amplified omp1 gene. The most prevalent C. trachomatis serovars, D, E, and F, showed no association with either a symptomatic or asymptomatic course of infection. The most prominent differences found were (i) the association of serovar Ga with symptoms in men (P = 0.0027), specifically, dysuria (P < 0.0001), and (ii) detection of serovar Ia more often in asymptomatically infected people (men and women) (P = 0.035). Furthermore, in women, serovar K was associated with vaginal discharge (P = 0.002) and serovar variants were found only in women (P = 0.045).

Adolescent↗