Browsing by Author "Côrte-Real, Rita"
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- Avaliação da exequibilidade de um estudo de efetividade da vacina antigripal contra casos graves de gripe, na época 2015-16, em Portugal: o projeto EVA HospitalPublication . Gómez, Verónica; Gomes, Victor; Poças, José; Côrte-Real, Rita; Peres, Maria João; Rodrigues, Ana Paula; Machado, Ausenda; Nunes, BaltazarIntrodução/Objetivo do trabalho: O projeto EVA Hospital é a componente portuguesa do estudo multicêntrico europeu I-MOVE+ (Integrated Monitoring of Vaccines Effects in Europe) e pretende obter estimativas da efetividade da vacina antigripal (EVA) contra gripe confirmada laboratorialmente em doentes com 65 e mais anos hospitalizados com infeção respiratória aguda grave (SARI). Na época 2015-16 este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a exequibilidade da sua implementação em Portugal. Material e Métodos: Participaram no estudo o Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal e o Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central. Os doentes com SARI foram identificados no serviço de urgência e recrutados nas enfermarias participantes no estudo. Utilizou-se um delineamento caso controlo teste-negativo, onde os casos, doentes com SARI com diagnóstico laboratorial positivo para vírus da gripe, foram comparados com os controlos negativos para gripe. A informação epidemiológica foi obtida pelo médico através de questionário com consulta de processo clínico e dos dados na Plataforma de Dados de Saúde (PDS). O diagnóstico laboratorial foi efetuado por Multiplex/RT-PCR em exsudado da nasofaringe pelos laboratórios dos centros hospitalares. Resultados: Foram recrutados 81 indivíduos com SARI, dos quais 52 tinham critérios de inclusão. Não se verificaram valores omissos na informação sociodemográfica e nas datas de internamento/alta, início de sintomas e colheita de exsudado. A utilização da PDS foi fulcral para o reduzido número de omissos quanto à toma da vacina antigripal (2,5%) e data (21%). Foram identificados 16 casos de gripe (87,5% do subtipo A(H1)pdm09 e 6,3% do tipo B) e 36 controlos. Na comparação de casos e controlos, foram encontradas diferenças significativas quanto à toma de antivirais (mais frequente nos casos – 62,5% vs 8,3%) e cancro hematológico (mais prevalente nos casos – 12,2% vs 0%). A cobertura da vacina antigripal foi de 41,7% nos controlos, face a 18,8% nos casos, indicando o efeito protetor da vacina, apesar de estatisticamente não significativo. Conclusões: Verificou-se que é exequível implementar um estudo desta tipologia em contexto hospitalar, sendo possível recrutar doentes com SARI, com informação com qualidade, em particular no que respeita à toma e data da vacina antigripal. Os resultados indicam que a cobertura da vacina antigripal nos controlos é superior à cobertura nos casos, resultado a favor da hipótese de proteção da vacina sazonal 2015-2016.
- Chlamydia trachomatis: when the virulence-associated genome backbone imports a prevalence-associated major antigen signaturePublication . Borges, Vítor; Cordeiro, Dora; Salas, Ana Isabel; Lodhia, Zohra; Correia, Cristina; Isidro, Joana; Fernandes, Cândida; Rodrigues, Ana Maria; Azevedo, Jacinta; Alves, João; Roxo, João; Rocha, Miguel; Côrte-Real, Rita; Vieira, Luís; Borrego, Maria José; Gomes, João PauloChlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterium worldwide and the causative agent of trachoma. Its strains are classified according to their ompA genotypes, which are strongly linked to differential tissue tropism and disease outcomes [ocular disease, urogenital disease and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)]. While the genome-based species phylogenetic tree presents four main clades correlating with tropism/prevalence, namely ocular, LGV, urogenital T1 (more prevalent genotypes) and urogenital T2 (less prevalent genotypes), inter-clade exchange of ompA is considered a rare phenomenon probably mediating marked tropism alterations. An LGV epidemic, associated with the clonal expansion of the L2b genotype, has emerged in the last few decades, raising concerns particularly due to its atypical clinical presentation (ulcerative proctitis) and circulation among men who have sex with men (MSM). Here, we report an LGV outbreak, mostly affecting human immunodeficiency virus-positive MSM engaging in high-risk sexual practices, caused by an L2b strain with a rather unique non-LGV ompA signature that precluded the laboratory notification of this outbreak as LGV. C. trachomatis whole-genome capture and sequencing directly from clinical samples was applied to deeply characterize the genomic backbone of this novel LGV outbreak-causing clone. It revealed a chimeric genome structure due to the genetic transfer of ompA and four neighbouring genes from a serovar D/Da strain, likely possessing the genomic backbone associated with the more prevalent urogenital genotypes (T1 clade), to an LGV (L2b) strain. The hybrid L2b/D-Da strain presents the adhesin and immunodominant antigen MOMP (major outer membrane protein) (encoded by ompA) with an epitope repertoire typical of non-invasive genital strains, while keeping the genome-dispersed virulence fingerprint of a classical LGV strain. As previously reported for inter-clade ompA exchange among non-LGV clades, this novel C. trachomatis genomic mosaic involving a contemporary epidemiologically and clinically relevant LGV strain may have implications on its transmission, tissue tropism and pathogenic capabilities. The emergence of variants with epidemic and pathogenic potential highlights the need for more focused surveillance strategies to capture C. trachomatis evolution in action.
- Cross-protection to new drifted influenza A(H3) viruses and prevalence of protective antibodies to seasonal influenza, during 2014 in PortugalPublication . Guiomar, Raquel; Pereira da Silva, Susana; Conde, Patrícia; Cristóvão, Paula; Maia, Ana Carina; Pechirra, Pedro; Rodrigues, Ana Paula; Nunes, Baltazar; Milho, Luís; Coelho, Ana Paula; Fernandes, Aida; Caseiro, Paula; Rodrigues, Fernando; Correia, Lurdes; Pereira-Vaz, João; Almeida, Sofia; Branquinho, Paula; Côrte-Real, Rita; Viseu, Regina; Peres, Maria João; Sanches, Raquel; Dantas, Filipa; Freitas, Ludovina; Andrade, Graça; Maurílio, Manuel; Caldeira, Filomena; Cabral Veloso, Rita; Mota-Vieira, Luísa; Soares, Marta; Couto, Ana Rita; Bruges-Armas, Jácome; Mouro Pinto, Rita; Sobrinho Simões, Joana; Rosário Costa, Maria; Guimarães, João Tiago; Martins, Luís; Cunha, MárioIntroduction: Immune profile for influenza viruses is highly changeable over time. Serological studies can assess the prevalence of influenza, estimate the risk of infection, highlight asymptomatic infection rate and can also provide data on vaccine coverage. The aims of the study were to evaluate pre-existing cross-protection against influenza A(H3) drift viruses and to assess influenza immunity in the Portuguese population. Materials and methods: We developed a cross-sectional study based on a convenience sample of 626 sera collected during June 2014, covering all age groups, both gender and all administrative health regions of Portugal. Sera antibody titers for seasonal and new A(H3) drift influenza virus were evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition assay (HI). Seroprevalence to each seasonal influenza vaccine strain virus and to the new A(H3) drift circulating strain was estimated by age group, gender and region and compared with seasonal influenza-like illness (ILI) incidence rates before and after the study period. Results: Our findings suggest that seroprevalences of influenza A(H3) (39.9%; 95% CI: 36.2–43.8) and A(H1)pdm09 (29.7%; 95% CI: 26.3–33.4) antibodies were higher than for influenza B, in line with high ILI incidence rates for A(H3) followed by A(H1)pdm09, during 2013/2014 season. Low pre-existing crossprotection against new A(H3) drift viruses were observed in A(H3) seropositive individuals (46%). Both against influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3) seroprotection was highest in younger than 14-years old. Protective antibodies against influenza B were highest in those older than 65 years old, especially for B/Yamagata lineage, 33.3% (95% CI: 25.7–41.9). Women showed a high seroprevalence to influenza, although without statistical significance, when compared to men. A significant decreasing trend in seroprotection from north to south regions of Portugal mainland was observed. Conclusions: Our results emphasize that low seroprotection increases the risk of influenza infection in the following winter season. Seroepidemiological studies can inform policy makers on the need for vaccination and additional preventive measures.
- Cross-protection to new drifted influenza A(H3) viruses and prevalence of protective antibodies to seasonal influenza, during 2014 in PortugalPublication . Guiomar, Raquel; Pereira da Silva, Susana; Conde, Patrícia; Cristóvão, Paula; Maia, Ana Carina; Pechirra, Pedro; Rodrigues, Ana Paula; Nunes, Baltazar; Milho, Luís; Coelho, Ana Paula; Fernandes, Aida; Caseiro, Paula; Rodrigues, Fernando; Correia, Lurdes; Pereira-Vaz, João; Almeida, Sofia; Branquinho, Paula; Côrte-Real, Rita; Viseu, Regina; Peres, Maria João; Sanches, Raquel; Dantas, Filipa; Freitas, Ludovina; Andrade, Graça; Maurílio, Manuel; Caldeira, Filomena; Cabral Veloso, Rita; Mota-Vieira, Luísa; Soares, Marta; Couto, Ana Rita; Bruges-Armas, Jácome; Mouro Pinto, Rita; Sobrinho Simões, Joana; Costa, Maria do Rosário; Guimarães, João Tiago; Martins, Luís; Cunha, MárioIntroduction: Immune profile for influenza viruses is highly changeable over time. Serological studies can assess the prevalence of influenza, estimate the risk of infection, highlight asymptomatic infection rate and can also provide data on vaccine coverage. The aims of the study were to evaluate pre-existing cross-protection against influenza A(H3) drift viruses and to assess influenza immunity in the Portuguese population. Materials and methods: We developed a cross-sectional study based on a convenience sample of 626 sera collected during June 2014, covering all age groups, both gender and all administrative health regions of Portugal. Sera antibody titers for seasonal and new A(H3) drift influenza virus were evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition assay (HI). Seroprevalence to each seasonal influenza vaccine strain virus and to the new A(H3) drift circulating strain was estimated by age group, gender and region and compared with seasonal influenza-like illness (ILI) incidence rates before and after the study period. Results: Our findings suggest that seroprevalences of influenza A(H3) (39.9%; 95% CI: 36.2-43.8) and A(H1)pdm09 (29.7%; 95% CI: 26.3-33.4) antibodies were higher than for influenza B, in line with high ILI incidence rates for A(H3) followed by A(H1)pdm09, during 2013/2014 season. Low pre-existing cross-protection against new A(H3) drift viruses were observed in A(H3) seropositive individuals (46%). Both against influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3) seroprotection was highest in younger than 14-years old. Protective antibodies against influenza B were highest in those older than 65 years old, especially for B/ Yamagata lineage, 33.3% (95% CI: 25.7-41.9). Women showed a high seroprevalence to influenza, although without statistical significance, when compared to men. A significant decreasing trend in seroprotection from north to south regions of Portugal mainland was observed. Conclusions: Our results emphasize that low seroprotection increases the risk of influenza infection in the following winter season. Seroepidemiological studies can inform policy makers on the need for vaccination and additional preventive measures.
- Distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis ompA-genotypes over three decades in PortugalPublication . Lodhia, Zohra; Cordeiro, Dora; Correia, Cristina; João, Inês; Carreira, Teresa; Vieira, Luís; Nunes, Alexandra; Ferreira, Rita; Schäfer, Sandra; Aliyeva, Elzara; Portugal, Clara; Monge, Isabel; Pessanha, Maria Ana; Toscano, Cristina; Côrte-Real, Rita; Antunes, Marília; Gomes, Joao Paulo; Borges, Vítor; José Borrego, MariaObjectives: Chlamydia trachomatis is classified into 15 major genotypes, A to L3, based on the diversity of ompA gene. Here, we evaluated and characterised the distribution and diversity of ompA-genotypes over 32 years (1990-2021) in Portugal. Methods: The collection of the Portuguese National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections includes 5824 C. trachomatis-positive samples that were successfully ompA-genotyped between 1990 and 2021. An in-depth analysis of ompA-genotypes distribution across the years, as well as by biological sex, age and anatomical site of infection was performed. Results: ompA-genotype E was consistently the most frequently detected across the years, with a median frequency of 34.6%, followed by D/Da (17.6%), F (14.3%) and G (10.7%). The prevalence of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) genotypes (mostly L2, 62.0%, followed by L2b, 32.1%) increased since 2016, reaching the highest value in 2019 (20.9%). LGV, G and Da genotypes were associated with biological sex, specifically with being male, and were the most frequent among anorectal specimens (37.7%, 19.4% and 17.7%, respectively). Notably, LGV ompA-genotypes represented 38.9% of the male anorectal specimens since 2016, and were also detected among oropharynx and urogenital samples. ompA-genotype E was the most frequently detected at the oropharynx (28.6%) and urogenital (33.9%) sites during the study period, followed by D/Da (17.4%) and F (16.0%) in the urogenital specimens, and by G (26.1%) and D/Da (25.7%) in oropharynx specimens. Our data also highlight the emergence of the recombinant L2b/D-Da strain since 2017 (representing between 2.0% and 15.5% of LGV cases per year) and the non-negligible detection of ompA-genotype B in urogenital and anorectal specimens. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive landscape of C. trachomatis molecular surveillance in Portugal, highlighting the continued relevance of ompA-genotyping as a complement to rapid LGV-specific detection tests. It also contributes to a deeper understanding of C. trachomatis epidemiology, diversity and pathogenicity.
- Distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis ompA-genotypes over three decades in PortugalPublication . Lodhia, Zohra; Cordeiro, Dora; Correia, Cristina; João, Inês; Carreira, Teresa; Vieira, Luís; Nunes, Alexandra; Ferreira, Rita; Schäfer, Sandra; Aliyeva, Elzara; Portugal, Clara; Monge, Isabel; Pessanha, Maria Ana; Toscano, Cristina; Côrte-Real, Rita; Antunes, Marília; Gomes, Joao Paulo; Borges, Vítor; Borrego, Maria JoséObjectives: Chlamydia trachomatis is classified into 15 major genotypes, A to L3, based on the diversity of ompA gene. Here, we evaluated and characterised the distribution and diversity of ompA-genotypes over 32 years (1990–2021) in Portugal. Methods: The collection of the Portuguese National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections includes 5824 C. trachomatis-positive samples that were successfully ompA-genotyped between 1990 and 2021. An in-depth analysis of ompA-genotypes distribution across the years, as well as by biological sex, age and anatomical site of infection was performed. Results: ompA-genotype E was consistently the most frequently detected across the years, with a median frequency of 34.6%, followed by D/Da (17.6%), F (14.3%) and G (10.7%). The prevalence of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) genotypes (mostly L2, 62.0%, followed by L2b, 32.1%) increased since 2016, reaching the highest value in 2019 (20.9%). LGV, G and Da genotypes were associated with biological sex, specifically with being male, and were the most frequent among anorectal specimens (37.7%, 19.4% and 17.7%, respectively). Notably, LGV ompA-genotypes represented 38.9% of the male anorectal specimens since 2016, and were also detected among oropharynx and urogenital samples. ompA-genotype E was the most frequently detected at the oropharynx (28.6%) and urogenital (33.9%) sites during the study period, followed by D/Da (17.4%) and F (16.0%) in the urogenital specimens, and by G (26.1%) and D/Da (25.7%) in oropharynx specimens. Our data also highlight the emergence of the recombinant L2b/D-Da strain since 2017 (representing between 2.0% and 15.5% of LGV cases per year) and the non-negligible detection of ompA-genotype B in urogenital and anorectal specimens. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive landscape of C. trachomatis molecular surveillance in Portugal, highlighting the continued relevance of ompA-genotyping as a complement to rapid LGV-specific detection tests. It also contributes to a deeper understanding of C. trachomatis epidemiology, diversity and pathogenicity.
- Enterovirus D68 diagnosed in severe respiratory and neurological illness in children during 2015-2016 season in PortugalPublication . Guiomar, Raquel; Costa, Inês; Pechirra, Pedro; Palminha, Paula; Ribeiro, Carlos; Roque, Carla; Peres, Maria João; Viseu, Regina; Balseiro, Maria Jesus; Brito, Maria João; Neves, João; Branquinho, Paula; Côrte-Real, RitaBackground: Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) was first isolated in 1962, and since then associated with respiratory illness. The report of severe respiratory and neurological disease including deaths associated to EV-D68 in United States and Canada during August 2014 highlighted the need of epidemiological information regarding EV-D68 circulation. In Europe information was scarce, available only for few countries. In Portugal there was no data available and was critical to know the epidemiology of EV-D68, especially in children hospitalized with severe respiratory or neurological disease. This study aims to identify EV-D68 in Enterovirus positive respiratory samples in children under 18 with clinical diagnosis of severe respiratory infection or neurological illness. Methods: During 2015/16 winter season, between November/2015 and March/2016, 29 EV positive cases were reported to the National Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Reference Laboratory (NIC) by two hospitals located in Lisbon and Setubal districts. EV diagnosis was performed in hospitals by biomolecular methods using commercial kits (real time multiplex-PCR, FTD Respiratory pathogens 21 and CLART Pneumovir, Genomica, respectively). EV-D68 was diagnosed by an in house real-time PCR [1]. Virus isolation in RD cell line and phylogenentic analysis of the VP1/VP3 genomic regions will enable the identification of genetic groups in circulation. All samples were irreversibly anonymized. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Results: EV-D68 was confirmed in 20 respiratory samples previously positive for EV (69%; 20/29). Samples were collected from children with age ranging from 2 months to 6 years old, both genders (9 female; 11 male) with diagnosis of severe respiratory or neurological illness. Eighteen cases were hospitalized (90%; 18/20). Bronchiolitis and pneumonia were the most frequently reported diagnosis, corresponding to 70% (14/20). Two cases have neurologic diagnosis. EV-D68 was identified throughout all study period with the higher number of positive cases detected during January 2016, in week 3. Virus isolation and genetic characterization are under way with expected results in virus phylogeny and evaluation on similarity with recent circulating strains in United States, Canada and European countries. Conclusions: EV-D68 was detected in a high positive rate (69%) among EV positive cases. This positive rate of EV-D68 was higher compared to the positivity rate of 10,2 %, calculated in a European study during 2014 [2]. This finding could be linked to the selection of severe and hospitalized patients in present study, highlighting the involvement of EV-D68 with severe respiratory disease in children. The identification of EV-D68 is also crucial in respiratory samples in children with clinical diagnosis of neurological illness. This study is the first attempt to describe the prevalence of EV-D68 in severe paediatric cases, in Portugal. The strength of EV-D68 surveillance in paediatric and adult population at the national level will be important to understand the epidemiology of EV-D68, age-related susceptibility and association with disease severity.
- Epidemiology and genetic variability of respiratory syncytial virus in Portugal, 2014-2018Publication . Sáez-López, Emma; Cristóvão, Paula; Costa, Inês; Pechirra, Pedro; Conde, Patrícia; Guiomar, Raquel; Peres, Maria João; Viseu, Regina; Lopes, Paulo; Soares, Vânia; Vale, Fátima; Fonseca, Patricia; Freitas, Ludivina; Alves, Jose; Pessanha, Maria Ana; Toscano, Cristina; Mota-Vieira, Luísa; Veloso, Rita Cabral; Côrte-Real, Rita; Branquinho, Paula; Pereira‑Vaz, João; Rodrigues, Fernando; Cunha, Mário; Martins, Luís; Mota, Paula; Couto, Ana Rita; Bruges-Armas, Jácome; Almeida, Sofia; Rodrigues, Débora; Portuguese Laboratory Network for the Diagnosis of Influenza InfectionIntroduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality since it is a predominant viral agent causing respiratory tract infections in infants, young children and the elderly. Considering the availability of the RSV vaccines in the coming years, molecular understanding in RSV is necessary. Objective: The objective of the present study was to describe RSV epidemiology and genotype variability in Portugal during the 2014/15-2017/18 period. Material and methods: Epidemiological data and RSV-positive samples from patients with a respiratory infection were collected through the non-sentinel and sentinel influenza surveillance system (ISS). RSV detection, subtyping in A and B, and sequencing of the second hypervariable region (HVR2) of G gene were performed by molecular methods. Phylogenetic trees were generated using the Neighbor-Joining method and p-distance model on MEGA 7.0. Results: RSV prevalence varied between the sentinel (2.5%, 97/3891) and the non-sentinel ISS (20.7%, 3138/16779), being higher (P < 0.0001) among children aged <5 years. Bronchiolitis (62.9%, 183/291) and influenza-like illness (24.6%, 14/57) were associated (P < 0.0001) with RSV laboratory confirmation among children aged <6 months and adults ≥65 years, respectively. The HVR2 was sequenced for 562 samples. RSV-A (46.4%, 261/562) and RSV-B (53.6%, 301/562) strains clustered mainly to ON1 (89.2%, 233/261) and BA9 (92%, 277/301) genotypes, respectively, although NA1 and BA10 were also present until 2015/2016. Conclusion: The sequence and phylogenetic analysis reflected the relatively high diversity of Portuguese RSV strains. BA9 and ON1 genotypes, which have been circulating in Portugal since 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 respectively, predominated during the whole study period.
- Influenza virus type/subtype and different infection profiles by age group during 2017/2018 seasonPublication . Guiomar, Raquel; Pechirra, Pedro; Cristóvão, Paula; Costa, Inês; Conde, Patrícia; Côrte-Real, Rita; Branquinho, Paula; Garcia, David; Conde, Sílvia; Rodrigues, Fernando; Pereira-Vaz, João; Alves, José; Freitas, Ludivina; Mota Vieira, Luísa; Cabral Veloso, Rita; Bruges Armas, Jácome; Couto, Ana Rita; Ribeiro, Carlos; Barreto, Rosário; Cunha, Mário; Martins, Luís; Almeida, Sofia; Peres, Maria João; Viseu, Regina; Mota, Paula; Lopes, Paulo; Soares, Vânia; Vale, Fátima; Fonseca, Patrícia; Toscano, Cristina; Dias, AnaBackground: Influenza has a major impact in hospitalization during each influenza season. We analysed the influenza type/subtype distribution by age group and medical care wards (ambulatory, hospital, intensive care unit). Material and Methods: During 2017/2018 season, 14 hospitals from Portugal mainland and Atlantic Island (Azores and Madeira) reported to the National Influenza Centre 13747 cases of respiratory infection, all tested for influenza type and/or subtype. Epidemiological data: age, sample collection, hospital dwelling service and patient outcome were reported. Results: From the 13747 reported cases, 3717(27%) were influenza positive of which 2033 (55%) were influenza B, 722 (19%) A unsubtyped, 505 (14%) AH3, 442 (12%) AH1pdm09 and 15(0,1%) mixed infections. Influenza A was detected in 71% (204/208) of toddlers(<5 years) although in the remaining age groups influenza B was detected in more than 50% of the confirmed flu cases. Influenza B was the predominant virus in hospitalized and ICU influenza cases between 5-14 years (69% and 75%, respectively) and played a major role in elderly (65+ years) hospitalized and ICU cases(57% and 67%, respectively). AH1pdm09 virus was detected in 30% of the influenza confirmed ICU patients, 2.1 times more than in hospitalized cases in other wards and 3.3 times more than influenza AH1pdm09 cases in ambulatory care. Influenza mixed infection were detected sporadically,mainly in hospitalized and ICU patients. From 2080 known outcomes, 40(1.9%) patients deceased, influenza was confirmed in 11(28%) of these cases. Conclusions: Cocirculation of different influenza virus type/subtype may indicate different infection profiles by age groups and should guide influenza preventive/treatment measures.
- Lymphogranuloma venereum: a retrospective analysis of an emerging sexually transmitted disease in a Lisbon Tertiary CenterPublication . Neves, José Miguel; Ramos Pinheiro, Rita; Côrte-Real, Rita; Borrego, Maria José; Rodrigues, Ana; Fernandes, CândidaBackground: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexual transmitted infection (STI), currently endemic within the population of men who have sex with men (MSM) of Western Countries. L2B variant has been reported as the predominant strain in the current LGV epidemics, although a shift towards L2-434 has been observed in some European countries. Objectives: To evaluate and characterize the population with LGV infection diagnosed in Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all LGV diagnoses between 2016 and 2019 was performed. The diagnosis was established through ompA-genotyping of samples yielding a positive result to Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). All considered samples were retrieved from the clinician activity, through swabbing and urine analysis and CT infection diagnosis was obtained using real-time PCR. Results: During the period studied 16 279 CT diagnostics tests were employed, with a striking increase from 2016 (n = 467) to 2019 (n = 9362). A total of 1602 diagnoses of CT were established, from which 168 (10.5%) corresponded to LGV, with both infections showing a rising evolution, between 2016 and 2019, of 2.9 and 2.7 times, respectively. The majority of the LGV strains were genotyped as L2/434 (67.3%; n = 113). LGV predominantly affected MSM and men who have sex with men and women (97.0%; n = 163). Anorectal infection was the most prevalent one (90.5%; n = 152), being proctitis the main clinical presentation (76.2%; n = 128). Absence of symptoms was reported in almost 15% of the cases (n = 24). The presence of concomitant infection with human immunodeficiency virus was dominant (73.2%; n = 123) and the prevalence of one or more STI co-infections was about 60.1% (n = 99). Conclusions: An increasing evolution of CT and LGV testing and diagnosing was observable throughout the studied period. Characteristics of the population are similar with those described within LGV epidemics. In accordance with recent European studies, predominance towards L2 genotype was identified.