Journal article

Viability of Chlamydia trachomatis in Different Anatomical Sites—a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

A Wong, N Lima, TL Applegate, R Guy, WM Huston, JS Hocking, D Boettiger

Clinical Infectious Diseases | OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC | Published : 2026

Abstract

Background. Modern assays for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) rely on nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) of DNA or ribosomal RNA. However, it is also known that both viable (“living”) and non-viable (“dead”) CT can be detected by NAAT. Multiple laboratory techniques to measure CT viability have emerged. Methods. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Dimensions as well as conference abstracts for entries between January 2000 and May 2023. We included any studies that measured CT viability among NAAT-positive samples. Viability assays include enhanced cell culture, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA), messenger RNA (mRNA) detection via digital droplet polymerase chain reacti..

View full abstract

University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council


Funding Acknowledgements

This work was supported by funding from Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Hub to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance (IH190100021). Arthur Wong receives a doctoral scholarship from the University of New South Wales and the AMR Hub. Jane Hocking is the recipient of a National Health and Medical Research Council Investigator Grants. Wilhelmina M. Huston has received support from SpeeDx Pty Ltd since the initial planning of this manuscript.