Mutant Chlamydia trachomatis in Denmark

Abstract

A mutant Chlamydia trachomatis variant was detected in Sweden in 2006 and has since also been diagnosed in Norway, but not in Ireland or the Netherlands. This paper describes a study aimed at assessing the presence of the new variant in Denmark. Between November 2006 and April 2007 we tested 3,770 specimens using methods capable of detecting the new variant and distinguishing it from the wild type. In late March 2007 we found one case of the new variant in a 19-year old Danish woman without any known relationship to Sweden. It is surprising that the spread of this sexually transmitted pathogen into Denmark and within Denmark has been so low in view of its rapid and substantial spread within Sweden.