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Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is a bacterium that causes one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. In Panama, the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) among adolescents is 15.8%. However, no data describing circulating CT genotypes or evaluating molecular resistance are available. This study aims to determine the genotypes of genital CT infections and explore the macrolide resistance-associated mutations in this population to contribute to baseline information about CT circulating strains and antimicrobial resistance. Genomic analysis was performed on CT-positive, first-void urine specimens from school-going adolescents (14–19 years) in urban regions in Panama. The ompA gene was used for genotype and phylogenetic analysis, and the rplD, rplV, and 23S rRNA genes were used for molecular resistance analysis. Five genotypes were found: D, 15 (47%); F, 9 (28%); E, 4 (13%); Ia, 2 (6%); and Ja, 2 (6%) genotype Ja. A triple mutation (G52S, R65C, and V77A) was found in the rplV gene, though no mutations of interest were found for the rplD and 23S rRNA genes. The present study indicated CT genotype D had increased circulation within the population; mutations indicative of macrolide resistance were not found. Follow-up studies and implementation of active surveillance are necessary to understand the circulation of CT in Panama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panama is a country with endemic Dengue virus (DENV) transmission since its reintroduction in 1993. The four serotypes have circulated in the country and the region of the Americas, however, DENV-4 confirmed autochthonous cases have not been identified since 2000, despite its circulation in neighboring countries. Here, we report DENV-4 detection in Panama in the last four-month period of 2023 with cocirculation of the other serotypes, this was associated with a peak of dengue cases during the dry season even thoughmost dengue outbreaks are described in the rainy season. Complete genomes of DENV-4 allowed us to determine that cases were caused by DENV-4 genotype IIb, the same genotype as 23 years ago, with high similarity to DENV-4 sequences circulating in Nicaragua and El Salvador during 2023. This report shows the importance ofmaintaining serotype and genotype surveillance for early detection of new variants circulating in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China (2,2). Of [approximately equal to]23 million confirmed cases worldwide, [...]