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Zhou YZ, Zhao YH, Fang WZ, Zhou YL, Chen CM, Gao ZH, Gu B, Guo XG, Duan CH. Establishment of droplet digital PCR for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 110:116351. [PMID: 38896891 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae in adults usually leads to vaginitis and acute urethritis, and infection through the birth canal in newborns can lead to acute neonatal conjunctivitis. In view of certain factors such as a high missed detection rate of N.gonorrhoeae from staining microscopy method, the time-consuming nature and limited sensitivity of bacterial culture method, complicated and inability of absolute quantification from the ordinary PCR method. METHODS This study aims to establish a ddPCR system to detect N.gonorrhoeae in a absolute quantification, high specificity, high stability and accurate way. We selected the pgi1 gene as the target gene for the detection of N.gonorrhoeae. RESULTS The amplification efficiency was good in the ddPCR reaction, and the whole detection process could be completed in 94 min. It has a high sensitivity of up to 5.8 pg/μL. With a high specificity, no positive microdroplets were detected in 9 negative control pathogens in this experiment. In addition, ddPCR detection of N.gonorrhoeae has good repeatability, and the calculated CV is 4.2 %. CONCLUSIONS DdPCR detection technology has the characteristics of absolute quantification, high stability, high specificity and high accuracy of N.gonorrhoeae. It can promote the accuracy of the detecting of N.gonorrhoeae, providing a more scientific basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Zhuo Zhou
- Laboratory of Clinical, The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiangxi Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China; The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510150, China
| | - Yun-Hu Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Wei-Zhen Fang
- Laboratory of Clinical, The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiangxi Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China
| | - Yu-Lin Zhou
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510150, China
| | - Chu-Mao Chen
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ze-Hang Gao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China; State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; School of Microelectronics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Bing Gu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xu-Guang Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China; Department of Clinical Medicine, The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, King Med School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Chao-Hui Duan
- Laboratory of Clinical, The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiangxi Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China.
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2
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Xia L, Lu Q, Wang X, Jia C, Zhao Y, Wang G, Yang J, Zhang N, Min X, Huang J, Huang M. Characterization of protective immune responses against Neisseria gonorrhoeae induced by intranasal immunization with adhesion and penetration protein. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25733. [PMID: 38352762 PMCID: PMC10862674 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae is an urgent threat to global public health, and vaccine development is the best long-term strategy for controlling gonorrhea. We have previously shown that adhesion and penetration protein (App) play a role in the adhesion, invasion, and reproductive tract colonization of N. gonorrhoeae. Here, we describe the immune response induced by intranasal immunization with passenger and translocator fragments of App. The recombinant App passenger and translocator fragments induced high titers of IgG and IgA antibodies in serum and vaginal washes. Antibodies produced by App passenger and the combination of passenger and translocator mediated the killing of N. gonorrhoeae via serum bactericidal activity and opsonophagocytic activity, whereas antisera from translocator-immunized groups had lower bactericidal activity and opsonophagocytic activity. The antisera of the App passenger and translocator, alone and in combination, inhibited the adhesion of N. gonorrhoeae to cervical epithelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Nasal immunization with App passenger and translocator fragments alone or in combination induced high levels of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibodies and stimulated mouse splenocytes to secrete cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17A, suggesting that Th1 and Th17 cellular immune responses were activated. In vivo experiments have shown that immune App passenger and transporter fragments can accelerate the clearance of N. gonorrhoeae in the vagina of mice. These data suggest that the App protein is a promising N. gonorrhoeae vaccine antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyin Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Qin Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiaosu Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Chengyi Jia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Yujie Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Guangli Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jianru Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Ningqing Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Xun Min
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Meirong Huang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
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Giovane R, Pernia L, Guy T, Blevins H. An Infected Dog Bite With Neisseria canis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Cureus 2024; 16:e52712. [PMID: 38384600 PMCID: PMC10880041 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Neisseria is a common bacteria that colonizes in humans. Of the 11 species, only two, N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhea, are pathogenic. Although sparse, there are case reports of other Neisseria species causing infections in humans. Neisseria canis, which is a part of normal flora in the mouths of dogs and cats, has been shown to have potential to be pathogenic in humans. The standard treatment for dog and cat bites is oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin) or IV ampicillin/sulbactam (Unasyn). However, in cases where the patient has multiple antibiotic allergies, careful antibiotic selection must be made to ensure resolution of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luis Pernia
- Plastic Surgery, DCH Regional Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, USA
| | - Traci Guy
- Pharmacology, Northport Medical Center Pharmacy Department, Northport, USA
| | - Hannah Blevins
- Pharmacology, Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Birmingham, USA
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Walsh L, Clark SA, Derrick JP, Borrow R. Beyond the usual suspects: Reviewing infections caused by typically-commensal Neisseria species. J Infect 2023; 87:479-489. [PMID: 37797844 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Few data outside of individual case reports are available on non-meningococcal, non-gonococcal species of Neisseria as causative agents of invasive disease. This review collates disease, organism and patient information from case reports on the topic. METHODS A literature search was performed examining articles describing diseases caused by non-meningococcal and non-gonococcal Neisseria. FINDINGS Neisseria present as opportunistic pathogens causing a wide variety of diseases including serious presentations, endocarditis being the most common condition described and N. mucosa the most commonly presenting pathogen overall. Disease may occur in otherwise healthy patients, although risk factors for infection include recent surgery, an immunocompromised state, poor oral health, and intravenous drug use. CONCLUSIONS Commensal Neisseria infections are rare but can present serious invasive diseases. Further research is required to determine why some species cause disease more than others or why some are inclined towards particular manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lloyd Walsh
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom.
| | - Stephen A Clark
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy P Derrick
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom
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Perry CR, Scangarella-Oman NE, Millns H, Flight W, Gatsi S, Jakielaszek C, Janmohamed S, Lewis DA. Efficacy and Safety of Gepotidacin as Treatment of Uncomplicated Urogenital Gonorrhea (EAGLE-1): Design of a Randomized, Comparator-Controlled, Phase 3 Study. Infect Dis Ther 2023; 12:2307-2320. [PMID: 37751016 PMCID: PMC10581980 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-023-00862-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gonorrhea, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI). Rates of antimicrobial resistance to standard care are increasing worldwide, with many antibiotic classes now ineffective against NG. Gepotidacin is a first-in-class, bactericidal, triazaacenaphthylene antibiotic that inhibits bacterial DNA replication by inhibition of two enzymes, where a single target-specific mutation does not significantly impact susceptibility. Gepotidacin confers activity against NG, including most strains resistant to marketed antibiotics. Here, we describe the design of a phase 3 clinical trial (EAGLE-1; NCT04010539) evaluating gepotidacin for the treatment of uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea. METHODS This phase 3, randomized, multicenter, sponsor-blinded, noninferiority study across six countries is comparing the efficacy of gepotidacin with ceftriaxone plus azithromycin in 400 patients with uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea (microbiological intent-to-treat population) and assessing the safety of gepotidacin in approximately 600 patients (intent-to-treat population). Eligible participants 12 years of age or older with clinical suspicion of urogenital gonococcal infection and a NG-positive urogenital sample and/or purulent discharge are randomized 1:1 to receive oral gepotidacin (2 × 3000 mg 10-12 h apart) or ceftriaxone (500 mg, intramuscular) plus azithromycin (1 g, oral). The primary endpoint is culture-confirmed bacterial eradication of NG from the urogenital site at the test-of-cure (days 4-8) visit. PLANNED OUTCOMES This trial was designed in accordance with US Food and Drug Administration (2015) and European Medicines Agency (2011) guidance, particularly the primary endpoint and microbiological evaluability requirements. This study will help characterize the risk-benefit profile of gepotidacin for treating uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea. Gepotidacin is an important potential treatment for gonorrhea to help address the urgent unmet need of multidrug resistance and the increasingly limited number of oral treatment options. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT04010539.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline R Perry
- GSK, 1250 S. Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA, 19486-0989, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Sally Gatsi
- GSK, 1250 S. Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA, 19486-0989, USA
| | | | | | - David A Lewis
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Parramatta, NSW, Australia
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Potter AD, Baiocco CM, Papin JA, Criss AK. Transcriptome-guided metabolic network analysis reveals rearrangements of carbon flux distribution in Neisseria gonorrhoeae during neutrophil co-culture. mSystems 2023; 8:e0126522. [PMID: 37387581 PMCID: PMC10470122 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01265-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of bacterial pathogens to metabolically adapt to the environmental conditions of their hosts is critical to both colonization and invasive disease. Infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the gonococcus, Gc) is characterized by the influx of neutrophils [polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs)], which fail to clear the bacteria and make antimicrobial products that can exacerbate tissue damage. The inability of the human host to clear Gc infection is particularly concerning in light of the emergence of strains that are resistant to all clinically recommended antibiotics. Bacterial metabolism represents a promising target for the development of new therapeutics against Gc. Here, we generated a curated genome-scale metabolic network reconstruction (GENRE) of Gc strain FA1090. This GENRE links genetic information to metabolic phenotypes and predicts Gc biomass synthesis and energy consumption. We validated this model with published data and in new results reported here. Contextualization of this model using the transcriptional profile of Gc exposed to PMNs revealed substantial rearrangements of Gc central metabolism and induction of Gc nutrient acquisition strategies for alternate carbon source use. These features enhanced the growth of Gc in the presence of neutrophils. From these results, we conclude that the metabolic interplay between Gc and PMNs helps define infection outcomes. The use of transcriptional profiling and metabolic modeling to reveal new mechanisms by which Gc persists in the presence of PMNs uncovers unique aspects of metabolism in this fastidious bacterium, which could be targeted to block infection and thereby reduce the burden of gonorrhea in the human population. IMPORTANCE The World Health Organization designated Gc as a high-priority pathogen for research and development of new antimicrobials. Bacterial metabolism is a promising target for new antimicrobials, as metabolic enzymes are widely conserved among bacterial strains and are critical for nutrient acquisition and survival within the human host. Here we used genome-scale metabolic modeling to characterize the core metabolic pathways of this fastidious bacterium and to uncover the pathways used by Gc during culture with primary human immune cells. These analyses revealed that Gc relies on different metabolic pathways during co-culture with human neutrophils than in rich media. Conditionally essential genes emerging from these analyses were validated experimentally. These results show that metabolic adaptation in the context of innate immunity is important to Gc pathogenesis. Identifying the metabolic pathways used by Gc during infection can highlight new therapeutic targets for drug-resistant gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee D. Potter
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Christopher M. Baiocco
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Jason A. Papin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Alison K. Criss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Rodrigues R, Vieira-Baptista P, Catalão C, Borrego MJ, Sousa C, Vale N. Chlamydial and Gonococcal Genital Infections: A Narrative Review. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1170. [PMID: 37511783 PMCID: PMC10381338 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13071170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) constitute one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide, leading to considerable morbidity, mortality, health expenditures, and stigma. Of note are the most common bacterial STIs, chlamydial and gonococcal infections, whose etiological agents are Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), respectively. Despite being usually asymptomatic, in some cases these infections can be associated with long-term severe complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and increased risk of other STIs acquisition. As the symptoms, when present, are usually similar in both infections, and in most of the cases these infections co-occur, the dual-test strategy, searching for both pathogens, should be preferred. In line with this, herein we focus on the main aspects of CT and NG infections, the clinical symptoms as well as the appropriate state-of-the-art diagnostic tests and treatment. Cost-effective strategies for controlling CT and NG infections worldwide are addressed. The treatment for both infections is based on antibiotics. However, the continuing global rise in the incidence of these infections, concomitantly with the increased risk of antibiotics resistance, leads to difficulties in their control, particularly in the case of NG infections. We also discuss the potential mechanism of tumorigenesis related to CT infections. The molecular bases of CT and NG infections are addressed, as they should provide clues for control or eradication, through the development of new drugs and/or effective vaccines against these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Rodrigues
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Unilabs Portugal, Centro Empresarial Lionesa Porto, Rua Lionesa, 4465-671 Leça do Balio, Portugal
| | - Pedro Vieira-Baptista
- Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and Pediatrics, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Lower Genital Tract Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Catalão
- Roche Sistemas de Diagnósticos, Estrada Nacional, 2720-413 Amadora, Portugal
| | - Maria José Borrego
- Laboratório Nacional de Referência das Infeções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos Sousa
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Unilabs Portugal, Centro Empresarial Lionesa Porto, Rua Lionesa, 4465-671 Leça do Balio, Portugal
| | - Nuno Vale
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Health Information and Decision (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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Kikiowo B, Bandara AB, Abutaleb NS, Seleem MN. Colonization efficiency of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a female mouse model. Pathog Dis 2023; 81:ftad030. [PMID: 37852672 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid occurrence of gonococcal resistance to all classes of antibiotics could lead to untreatable gonorrhea. Thus, development of novel anti-Neisseria gonorrhoeae drugs is urgently needed. Neisseria gonorrhoeae FA1090 is the most used in gonococcal infection mouse models because of its natural resistance to streptomycin. Streptomycin inhibits the urogenital commensal flora that permits gonococcal colonization. However, this strain is drug-susceptible and cannot be used to investigate the efficacy of novel agents against multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. Hence, to test the in vivo efficacy of new therapeutics against N. gonorrhoeae resistant to the frontline antibiotics, azithromycin, or ceftriaxone, we constructed streptomycin-resistant mutants of N. gonorrhoeae CDC-181 (azithromycin-resistant) and WHO-X (ceftriaxone-resistant). We identified the inoculum size needed to successfully colonize mice. Both mutants, CDC-181-rpsLA128G and WHO-X-rpsLA128G, colonized the genital tract of mice for 14 days with 100% colonization observed for at least 7 days. CDC-181-rpsLA128G demonstrated better colonization of the murine genital tract compared to WHO-X-rpsLA128G. Lower inoculum of WHO-X-rpsLA128G (105 and 106 CFU) colonized mice better than higher inoculum. Overall, our results indicate that CDC-181-rpsLA128G and WHO-X-rpsLA128G can colonize the lower genital tract of mice and are suitable to be used in mouse models to investigate the efficacy of antigonococcal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babatomiwa Kikiowo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
| | - Aloka B Bandara
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
| | - Nader S Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
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