Evolution of Chlamydia trachomatis diversity occurs by widespread interstrain recombination involving hotspots.

ABSTRACT: Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium of major public health significance, infecting over one-tenth of the world's population and causing blindness and infertility in millions. Mounting evidence supports recombination as a key source of genetic diversity among free-living bacteria. Previous research shows that intracellular bacteria such as Chlamydiaceae may also undergo recombination but whether this plays a significant evolutionary role has not been determined. Here, we examine multiple loci dispersed throughout the chromosome to determine the extent and significance of recombination among 19 laboratory reference strains and 10 present-day ocular and urogenital clinical isolates using phylogenetic reconstructions, compatibility matrices, and statistically based rec

SUBMITTER: Gomes JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1716266 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature