Molecular epidemiology of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections among women of reproductive age living with HIV/AIDS in a Nigerian tertiary health institution

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent bacterial pathogen causing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) globally. This study investigates the genovars of genital C. trachomatis infection among women of reproductive age living with HIV/AIDS in Ilorin, Nigeria. Methodology: Endocervical samples were collected from a total of 402 consecutively recruited HIV-infected women attending the highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Socio-demographic and clinical data of participants were collected through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in the samples by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of C. trachomatis cryptic plasmid, and genotyping was performed using multiplex allele-specific (MAS) PCR to detect serovars D-K and L1-L3. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Associations between variables were determined using the chi-square test, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of C. trachomatis was 18.0%, and highest in women aged 18–25 years (33.3%). Genovars D–K were identified in 43.0% of cases, L1–L3 in 23.6%, and 33.3% could not be genotyped by the method used. Significant risk factors associated with C. trachomatis infection included previous STI history (p=0.000), non-use of barrier contraceptives (p=0.009), and prior STI treatment (p=0.000). There was a significant association of C. trachomatis infection and HIV viral load (p=0.041). Conclusion: This study provides information on the epidemiological distribution of C. trachomatis genovars among women with HIV/AIDS in Ilorin, Nigeria. The genovars D-K and L1-L3 identified are good guides for the appropriate management of C. trachomatis infections, including complications, contact tracing, and prevention