Analysis of Treponema pallidum Strains From China Using Improved Methods for Whole-Genome Sequencing From Primary Syphilis Chancres

摘要

Background. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of lreponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (TPA) has been constrained by the lack of in vitro cultivation methods for isolating spirochetes from patient samples. @@@ Methods. We built upon recently developed enrichment methods to sequence TPA directly from primary syphilis chancre swabs collected in Guangzhou, China. @@@ Results. By combining parallel, pooled whole-genome amplification with hybrid selection, we generated high-quality genomes from 4 of 8 chancre-swab samples and 2 of 2 rabbit-passaged isolates, all subjected to challenging storage conditions. @@@ Conclusions. This approach enabled the first WGS of Chinese samples without rabbit passage and provided insights into TPA genetic diversity in China.

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