Quinolines and Macrolides Resistance-Associated Mutations in Chlamydia trachomatis in Women Endocervical Samples in the West Region of Cameroon

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is a public health problem worldwide. Although antibiotic resistance of this strict intracellular bacterium is rare, it is important to monitor the appearance of resistance genes to available efficient antibiotics. This study aimed to screen for mutations in some of these genes in C. trachomatis clinical isolates, which may be associated to resistance to quinolone and macrolide antibiotics. Thirty-five endocervical samples were collected from women aged between 18 and 49 in five district hospitals in the Western Region of Cameroon. The mutations in quinolones (parC and gyrA) and macrolides (L4, L22 and 23S rRNA) resistance domains were detected by PCR followed by sequencing on positive samples to C. trachomatis. The overall mutation rate for the studied genes was 60% in the studied samples. Seven (20%) and twelve (34%) samples presented mutations in the parC and gyrA gene respectively. Mutations in L4 (11.42%) and L22 (60%) were detected in ours samples, while no mutation was found in 23S rRNA gene. Seven clinical samples (20%) presented mutations to both macrolide and quinolone resistance genes. This study revealed a relatively high rate of mutations in the resistance genes to macrolides and quinolones in C. trachomatis in the West Cameroon. This rate of mutation calls for the competent authorities for better surveillance of C. trachomatis infection in West Cameroon to avoid a sudden increase in resistance to antibiotics in the years to come.