Molecular Subtyping of Treponema pallidum in Paris, France

Abstract

In Brief Two major Treponema pallidum subtypes, 14 d/g and 14 d/f, were identified in a population of 119 patients with syphilis in Paris, France, characterized by a high proportion of men who have sex with men. A new subtype named 11 q/j was characterized, and a reinfection case was determined in 1 patient having consecuitve syphilis infection at 19-month interval. This epidemiological study of Treponema pallidum strains has shown a low genetic variation with the 14 d/g subtype predominating in the men who have sex with men population in Paris, France.