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Unemo M, Sánchez-Busó L, Golparian D, Jacobsson S, Shimuta K, Lan PT, Eyre DW, Cole M, Maatouk I, Wi T, Lahra MM. The novel 2024 WHO Neisseria gonorrhoeae reference strains for global quality assurance of laboratory investigations and superseded WHO N. gonorrhoeae reference strains-phenotypic, genetic and reference genome characterization. J Antimicrob Chemother 2024; 79:1885-1899. [PMID: 38889110 PMCID: PMC11290888 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkae176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES MDR and XDR Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains remain major public health concerns internationally, and quality-assured global gonococcal antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance is imperative. The WHO global Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (GASP) and WHO Enhanced GASP (EGASP), including metadata and WGS, are expanding internationally. We present the phenotypic, genetic and reference genome characteristics of the 2024 WHO gonococcal reference strains (n = 15) for quality assurance worldwide. All superseded WHO gonococcal reference strains (n = 14) were identically characterized. MATERIAL AND METHODS The 2024 WHO reference strains include 11 of the 2016 WHO reference strains, which were further characterized, and four novel strains. The superseded WHO reference strains include 11 WHO reference strains previously unpublished. All strains were characterized phenotypically and genomically (single-molecule PacBio or Oxford Nanopore and Illumina sequencing). RESULTS The 2024 WHO reference strains represent all available susceptible and resistant phenotypes and genotypes for antimicrobials currently and previously used (n = 22), or considered for future use (n = 3) in gonorrhoea treatment. The novel WHO strains include internationally spreading ceftriaxone resistance, ceftriaxone resistance due to new penA mutations, ceftriaxone plus high-level azithromycin resistance and azithromycin resistance due to mosaic MtrRCDE efflux pump. AMR, serogroup, prolyliminopeptidase, genetic AMR determinants, plasmid types, molecular epidemiological types and reference genome characteristics are presented for all strains. CONCLUSIONS The 2024 WHO gonococcal reference strains are recommended for internal and external quality assurance in laboratory examinations, especially in the WHO GASP, EGASP and other GASPs, but also in phenotypic and molecular diagnostics, AMR prediction, pharmacodynamics, epidemiology, research and as complete reference genomes in WGS analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Unemo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Microbiology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Leonor Sánchez-Busó
- Joint Research Unit ‘Infection and Public Health’, FISABIO-University of Valencia, Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Valencia, Spain
- CIBERESP, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Golparian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Microbiology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Susanne Jacobsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Microbiology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Ken Shimuta
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Pham Thi Lan
- Hanoi Medical University, National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - David W Eyre
- Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Ismael Maatouk
- Department of the Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Teodora Wi
- Department of the Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Monica M Lahra
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, New South Wales Health Pathology, Microbiology, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Mauffrey F, Poncet F, Jacot D, Greub G, Nordmann P, Blanc DS. Impact of mutations in the mtrR, rpdlVD and rrl genes on azithromycin resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306695. [PMID: 39012901 PMCID: PMC11251580 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose a major public health problem. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae represents a serious threat to successful treatment and epidemiological control. The first extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains (ceftriaxone-resistant and high-level azithromycin-resistant [HLR AZY]) have been reported. AIMS To identify molecular mechanisms implicated in azithromycin resistance in strains isolated from patients over a three-year period in a university hospital in Switzerland. MATERIAL AND METHODS From January 2020 to December 2022, 34 isolates (one per patient) were recovered from samples analyzed at the University Hospital of Lausanne. Eight genes involved in azithromycin resistance were sequenced: mtrR repressor (mtrCDE operon repressor) and his promotor mtrR-pr, rplD gene (L4 ribosomal protein), rplV gene (L22 ribosomal protein) and the four alleles of the rrl gene (23S rRNA). RESULTS With a cutoff value of 1 mg/L, 15 isolates were considered as being resistant to azithromycin, whereas the remaining 19 were susceptible. The C2597T mutation in 3 or 4 of the rrl allele confer a medium-level resistance to azithromycin (MIC = 16 mg/L, N = 2). The following mutations were significantly associated with MIC values ≥1 mg/L: the three mutations V125A, A147G, R157Q in the rplD gene (N = 10) and a substitution A->C in the mtrR promotor (N = 9). Specific mutations in the mtrR repressor and its promotor were observed in both susceptible and resistant isolates. CONCLUSIONS Resistance to azithromycin was explained by the presence of mutations in many different copies of 23S RNA ribosomal genes and their regulatory genes. Other mutations, previously reported to be associated with azithromycin resistance, were documented in both susceptible and resistant isolates, suggesting they play little role, if any, in azithromycin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Mauffrey
- Infection Prevention and Control Unit, Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Fabrice Poncet
- Infection Prevention and Control Unit, Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss National Reference Center for Emerging Antibiotic Resistance, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Damien Jacot
- Institute for Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute for Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patrice Nordmann
- Swiss National Reference Center for Emerging Antibiotic Resistance, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Dominique S. Blanc
- Infection Prevention and Control Unit, Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss National Reference Center for Emerging Antibiotic Resistance, Fribourg, Switzerland
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David A, Golparian D, Jacobsson S, Stratton C, Lan PT, Shimuta K, Sonnenberg P, Field N, Ohnishi M, Davies C, Unemo M. In silico gepotidacin target mining among 33 213 global Neisseria gonorrhoeae genomes from 1928 to 2023 combined with gepotidacin MIC testing of 22 gonococcal isolates with different GyrA and ParC substitutions. J Antimicrob Chemother 2024:dkae217. [PMID: 39004438 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkae217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The novel dual-target triazaacenaphthylene, gepotidacin, recently showed promising results in its Phase III randomized controlled trial for the treatment of gonorrhoea. We investigated alterations in the gepotidacin GyrA and ParC targets in gonococci by in silico mining of publicly available global genomes (n = 33 213) and determined gepotidacin MICs in isolates with GyrA A92 alterations combined with other GyrA and/or ParC alterations. METHODS We examined gonococcal gyrA and parC alleles available at the European Nucleotide Archive. MICs were determined using the agar dilution method (gepotidacin) or Etest (four antimicrobials). Models of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV were obtained from AlphaFold and used to model gepotidacin in the binding site. RESULTS GyrA A92 alterations were identified in 0.24% of genomes: GyrA A92P/S/V + S91F + D95Y/A/N (0.208%), A92P + S91F (0.024%) and A92P (0.003%), but no A92T (previously associated with gepotidacin resistance) was found. ParC D86 alterations were found in 10.6% of genomes: ParC D86N/G (10.5%), D86N + S87I (0.051%), D86N + S88P (0.012%) and D86G + E91G (0.003%). One isolate had GyrA A92P + ParC D86N alterations, but remained susceptible to gepotidacin (MIC = 0.125 mg/L). No GyrA plus ParC alterations resulted in a gepotidacin MIC > 4 mg/L. Modelling of gepotidacin binding to GyrA A92/A92T/A92P suggested that gepotidacin resistance due to GyrA A92T might be linked to the formation of a new polar contact with DNA. CONCLUSIONS In silico mining of 33 213 global gonococcal genomes (isolates from 1928 to 2023) showed that A92 is highly conserved in GyrA, while alterations in D86 of ParC are common. No GyrA plus ParC alterations caused gepotidacin resistance. MIC determination and genomic surveillance of potential antimicrobial resistance determinants are imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra David
- Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Susanne Jacobsson
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Caleb Stratton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, AL, USA
| | - Pham Thi Lan
- Hanoi Medical University, National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ken Shimuta
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Pam Sonnenberg
- Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nigel Field
- Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Makoto Ohnishi
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Christopher Davies
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, AL, USA
| | - Magnus Unemo
- Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Population Health, University College London, London, UK
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Jensen JS, Unemo M. Antimicrobial treatment and resistance in sexually transmitted bacterial infections. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:435-450. [PMID: 38509173 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01023-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been part of human life since ancient times, and their symptoms affect quality of life, and sequelae are common. Socioeconomic and behavioural trends affect the prevalence of STIs, but the discovery of antimicrobials gave hope for treatment, control of the spread of infection and lower rates of sequelae. This has to some extent been achieved, but increasing antimicrobial resistance and increasing transmission in high-risk sexual networks threaten this progress. For Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the only remaining first-line treatment (with ceftriaxone) is at risk of becoming ineffective, and for Mycoplasma genitalium, for which fewer alternative antimicrobial classes are available, incurable infections have already been reported. For Chlamydia trachomatis, in vitro resistance to first-line tetracyclines and macrolides has never been confirmed despite decades of treatment of this highly prevalent STI. Similarly, Treponema pallidum, the cause of syphilis, has remained susceptible to first-line penicillin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorgen S Jensen
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Research Unit for Reproductive Microbiology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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Osman R, Dema E, David A, Hughes G, Field N, Cole M, Didelot X, Saunders J. Understanding the potential role of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in managing patients with gonorrhoea: A systematic review of WGS use on human pathogens in individual patient care. J Infect 2024; 88:106168. [PMID: 38670270 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106168] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The utility of whole genome sequencing (WGS) to inform sexually transmitted infection (STI) patient management is unclear. Timely WGS data might support clinical management of STIs by characterising epidemiological links and antimicrobial resistance profiles. We conducted a systematic review of clinical application of WGS to any human pathogen that may be transposable to gonorrhoea. METHODS We searched six databases for articles published between 01/01/2010-06/02/2023 that reported on real/near real-time human pathogen WGS to inform clinical intervention. All article types from all settings were included. Findings were analysed using narrative synthesis. RESULTS We identified 12,179 articles, of which eight reported applications to inform tuberculosis (n = 7) and gonorrhoea (n = 1) clinical patient management. WGS data were successfully used as an adjunct to clinical and epidemiological data to enhance contact-tracing (n = 2), inform antimicrobial therapy (n = 5) and identify cross-contamination (n = 1). WGS identified gonorrhoea transmission chains that were not established via partner notification. Future applications could include insights into pathogen exposure detected within sexual networks for targeted patient management. CONCLUSIONS While there was some evidence of WGS use to provide individualised tuberculosis and gonorrhoea treatment, the eight identified studies contained few participants. Future research should focus on testing WGS intervention effectiveness and examining ethical considerations of STI WGS use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roeann Osman
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), Mortimer Market Centre, London WC1E 6JB, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom.
| | - Emily Dema
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), Mortimer Market Centre, London WC1E 6JB, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra David
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), Mortimer Market Centre, London WC1E 6JB, United Kingdom
| | - Gwenda Hughes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Dynamics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel Field
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), Mortimer Market Centre, London WC1E 6JB, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Cole
- UK Health Security Agency (UK HSA), 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom
| | - Xavier Didelot
- School of Life Sciences and Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Genomics and Enabling Data at Warwick University, United Kingdom
| | - John Saunders
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), Mortimer Market Centre, London WC1E 6JB, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom; UK Health Security Agency (UK HSA), 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom
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Kandinov I, Shaskolskiy B, Kravtsov D, Filippova M, Larkin A, Gryadunov D. Mini-Multilocus Sequence Typing Scheme for the Global Population of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5781. [PMID: 38891969 PMCID: PMC11171571 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115781] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing problem of antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae necessitates the development of molecular typing schemes that are suitable for rapid and mass screening. The objective of this study was to design and validate a mini-MLST scheme for N. gonorrhoeae based on global pathogen population data. Using sequences of seven housekeeping genes of 21,402 isolates with known MLSTs from the PubMLST database, we identified eighteen informative polymorphisms and obtained mini-MLST nucleotide profiles to predict MLSTs of isolates. We proposed a new MLST grouping system for N. gonorrhoeae based on mini-MLST profiles. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that MLST genogroups are a stable characteristic of the N. gonorrhoeae global population. The proposed grouping system has been shown to bring together isolates with similar antimicrobial susceptibility, as demonstrated by the characteristics of major genogroups. Established MLST prediction algorithms based on nucleotide profiles are now publicly available. The mini-MLST scheme was evaluated using a MLST detection/prediction method based on the original hydrogel DNA microarray. The results confirmed a high predictive ability up to the MLST genogroup. The proposed holistic approach to gonococcal population analysis can be used for the continuous surveillance of known and emerging resistant N. gonorrhoeae isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya Kandinov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (B.S.); (D.K.); (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.G.)
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Unemo M, Golparian D, Oxelbark J, Kong FYS, Brown D, Louie A, Drusano G, Jacobsson S. Pharmacodynamic evaluation of ceftriaxone single-dose therapy (0.125-1 g) to eradicate ceftriaxone-susceptible and ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in a hollow fibre infection model for gonorrhoea. J Antimicrob Chemother 2024; 79:1006-1013. [PMID: 38497988 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkae063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is threatening the gonorrhoea treatment, and optimizations of the current ceftriaxone-treatment regimens are crucial. We evaluated the pharmacodynamics of ceftriaxone single-dose therapy (0.125-1 g) against ceftriaxone-susceptible and ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcal strains, based on EUCAST ceftriaxone-resistance breakpoint (MIC > 0.125 mg/L), in our hollow fibre infection model (HFIM) for gonorrhoea. METHODS Gonococcal strains examined were WHO F (ceftriaxone-susceptible, MIC < 0.002 mg/L), R (ceftriaxone-resistant, MIC = 0.5 mg/L), Z (ceftriaxone-resistant, MIC = 0.5 mg/L) and X (ceftriaxone-resistant, MIC = 2 mg/L). Dose-range HFIM 7 day experiments simulating ceftriaxone 0.125-1 g single-dose intramuscular regimens were conducted. RESULTS Ceftriaxone 0.125-1 g single-dose treatments rapidly eradicated WHO F (wild-type ceftriaxone MIC). Ceftriaxone 0.5 and 1 g treatments, based on ceftriaxone human plasma pharmacokinetic parameters, eradicated most ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcal strains (WHO R and Z), but ceftriaxone 0.5 g failed to eradicate WHO X (high-level ceftriaxone resistance). When simulating oropharyngeal gonorrhoea, ceftriaxone 0.5 g failed to eradicate all the ceftriaxone-resistant strains, while ceftriaxone 1 g eradicated WHO R and Z (low-level ceftriaxone resistance) but failed to eradicate WHO X (high-level ceftriaxone resistance). No ceftriaxone-resistant mutants were selected using any ceftriaxone treatments. CONCLUSIONS Ceftriaxone 1 g single-dose intramuscularly cure most of the anogenital and oropharyngeal gonorrhoea cases caused by the currently internationally spreading ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcal strains, which should be further confirmed clinically. A ceftriaxone 1 g dose (±azithromycin 2 g) should be recommended for first-line empiric gonorrhoea treatment. This will buy countries some time until novel antimicrobials are licensed. Using ceftriaxone 1 g gonorrhoea treatment, the EUCAST ceftriaxone-resistance breakpoint is too low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Unemo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Daniel Golparian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Joakim Oxelbark
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Fabian Y S Kong
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David Brown
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Arnold Louie
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - George Drusano
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Susanne Jacobsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Golparian D, Bazzo ML, Ahlstrand J, Schörner MA, Gaspar PC, de Melo Machado H, Martins JM, Bigolin A, Ramos MC, Ferreira WA, Pereira GFM, Miranda AE, Unemo M. Recent dynamics in Neisseria gonorrhoeae genomic epidemiology in Brazil: antimicrobial resistance and genomic lineages in 2017-20 compared to 2015-16. J Antimicrob Chemother 2024; 79:1081-1092. [PMID: 38517452 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkae075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Regular quality-assured WGS with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and epidemiological data of patients is imperative to elucidate the shifting gonorrhoea epidemiology, nationally and internationally. We describe the dynamics of the gonococcal population in 11 cities in Brazil between 2017 and 2020 and elucidate emerging and disappearing gonococcal lineages associated with AMR, compare to Brazilian WGS and AMR data from 2015 to 2016, and explain recent changes in gonococcal AMR and gonorrhoea epidemiology. METHODS WGS was performed using Illumina NextSeq 550 and genomes of 623 gonococcal isolates were used for downstream analysis. Molecular typing and AMR determinants were obtained and links between genomic lineages and AMR (determined by agar dilution/Etest) examined. RESULTS Azithromycin resistance (15.6%, 97/623) had substantially increased and was mainly explained by clonal expansions of strains with 23S rRNA C2611T (mostly NG-STAR CC124) and mtr mosaics (mostly NG-STAR CC63, MLST ST9363). Resistance to ceftriaxone and cefixime remained at the same levels as in 2015-16, i.e. at 0% and 0.2% (1/623), respectively. Regarding novel gonorrhoea treatments, no known zoliflodacin-resistance gyrB mutations or gepotidacin-resistance gyrA mutations were found. Genomic lineages and sublineages showed a phylogenomic shift from sublineage A5 to sublineages A1-A4, while isolates within lineage B remained diverse in Brazil. CONCLUSIONS Azithromycin resistance, mainly caused by 23S rRNA C2611T and mtrD mosaics/semi-mosaics, had substantially increased in Brazil. This mostly low-level azithromycin resistance may threaten the recommended ceftriaxone-azithromycin therapy, but the lack of ceftriaxone resistance is encouraging. Enhanced gonococcal AMR surveillance, including WGS, is imperative in Brazil and other Latin American and Caribbean countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, SE-701 85, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Maria Luiza Bazzo
- Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Serology Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Josefine Ahlstrand
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, SE-701 85, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Marcos André Schörner
- Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Serology Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Pamela Cristina Gaspar
- Department of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Sexually Transmitted Infection, Secretariat of Health Surveillance and Environment, Ministry of Health of Brazil, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Hanalydia de Melo Machado
- Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Serology Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Motta Martins
- Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Serology Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Alisson Bigolin
- Department of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Sexually Transmitted Infection, Secretariat of Health Surveillance and Environment, Ministry of Health of Brazil, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | | | - Gerson Fernando Mendes Pereira
- Department of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Sexually Transmitted Infection, Secretariat of Health Surveillance and Environment, Ministry of Health of Brazil, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Angelica Espinosa Miranda
- Department of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Sexually Transmitted Infection, Secretariat of Health Surveillance and Environment, Ministry of Health of Brazil, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, SE-701 85, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
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9
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Golparian D, Cole MJ, Sánchez-Busó L, Day M, Jacobsson S, Uthayakumaran T, Abad R, Bercot B, Caugant DA, Heuer D, Jansen K, Pleininger S, Stefanelli P, Aanensen DM, Bluemel B, Unemo M. Antimicrobial-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Europe in 2020 compared with in 2013 and 2018: a retrospective genomic surveillance study. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2024; 5:e478-e488. [PMID: 38614111 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00370-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regular quality-assured whole-genome sequencing linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and patient metadata is imperative to elucidate the shifting gonorrhoea epidemiology, both nationally and internationally. We aimed to examine the gonococcal population in the European Economic Area (EEA) in 2020, elucidate emerging and disappearing gonococcal lineages associated with AMR and patient metadata, compare with 2013 and 2018 whole-genome sequencing data, and explain changes in gonococcal AMR and gonorrhoea epidemiology. METHODS In this retrospective genomic surveillance study, we analysed consecutive gonococcal isolates that were collected in EEA countries through the European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (Euro-GASP) in 2020, and made comparisons with Euro-GASP data from 2013 and 2018. All isolates had linked AMR data (based on minimum inhibitory concentration determination) and patient metadata. We performed whole-genome sequencing and molecular typing and AMR determinants were derived from quality-checked whole-genome sequencing data. Links between genomic lineages, AMR, and patient metadata were examined. FINDINGS 1932 gonococcal isolates collected in 2020 in 21 EEA countries were included. The majority (81·2%, 147 of 181 isolates) of azithromycin resistance (present in 9·4%, 181 of 1932) was explained by the continued expansion of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae sequence typing for antimicrobial resistance (NG-STAR) clonal complexes (CCs) 63, 168, and 213 (with mtrD/mtrR promoter mosaic 2) and the novel NG-STAR CC1031 (semi-mosaic mtrD variant 13), associated with men who have sex with men and anorectal or oropharyngeal infections. The declining cefixime resistance (0·5%, nine of 1932) and negligible ceftriaxone resistance (0·1%, one of 1932) was largely because of the progressive disappearance of NG-STAR CC90 (with mosaic penA allele), which was predominant in 2013. No known resistance determinants for novel antimicrobials (zoliflodacin, gepotidacin, and lefamulin) were found. INTERPRETATION Azithromycin-resistant clones, mainly with mtrD mosaic or semi-mosaic variants, appear to be stabilising at a relatively high level in the EEA. This mostly low-level azithromycin resistance might threaten the recommended ceftriaxone-azithromycin therapy, but the negligible ceftriaxone resistance is encouraging. The decreased genomic population diversity and increased clonality could be explained in part by the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in lower importation of novel strains into Europe. FUNDING European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and Örebro University Hospital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | | | - Leonor Sánchez-Busó
- Genomics and Health Area, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Community (FISABIO-Public Health), Valencia, Spain; CIBERESP, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Susanne Jacobsson
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | | | - Raquel Abad
- Reference Laboratory for Neisseria, National Centre of Microbiology-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Beatrice Bercot
- French National Reference Center for Bacterial STI, Associated Laboratory for Gonococci, APHP, Paris Cité University, IAME 1137, Paris, France
| | | | - Dagmar Heuer
- Unit 18: 'Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Pathogens and HIV', Department of Infectious Disease, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Jansen
- Unit 34: 'HIV/AIDS, STI and Blood-Borne Infections', Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Paola Stefanelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - David M Aanensen
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Benjamin Bluemel
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK.
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10
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Maldonado-Barrueco A, Sanz-González C, Falces-Romero I, García-Clemente P, Cacho-Calvo J, Quiles-Melero I. Comparison of gradient diffusion and molecular methods using Allplex™ NG&DR assay (Seegene®) for macrolide and fluoroquinolone screening resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 43:1009-1012. [PMID: 38407691 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04786-y] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) is increasing worldwide. Second-line treatments with macrolides or fluoroquinolones are an option for NG infections in some cases following the STI guideline recommendations. In our study, we compared the gradient diffusion test using EUCAST 2024 breakpoints with a new molecular method using the Allplex™ NG&DR assay (Seegene®) including A2059G/C2611 mutations (23S rRNA) associated with high/moderate-level macrolide resistance and S91F mutation (gyrA) relationship with fluoroquinolone resistance in NG isolates (n = 100). We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and correlation of the molecular test for fluoroquinolone using the gradient diffusion as the reference method. In twenty-three strains was not detected any mutation associated with macrolides or fluoroquinolone resistance. No A2059G/C2611T mutations were detected, and the S91F mutations were detected in 77 out of the 100 isolates screened. Twenty-three NG isolates were reported to be resistant to azithromycin (ECOFF: >1 mg/L), and 78 NG isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (MIC: >0.06 mg/L). The molecular method showed a sensitivity of 96.1% and, a specificity of 90.9% for fluoroquinolone susceptibility, but the statistical analysis between the molecular test and gradient diffusion test was not statistically significant for fluoroquinolone resistance (p = 1). Statistical analysis was not performed for macrolides because of the absence of positive RT-PCR results. According to our data, Allplex™ assay cannot replace the gradient diffusion test for macrolide resistance. However, the assay could be used to test fluoroquinolone resistance in NG isolates as a replacement for phenotypic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Sanz-González
- Clinical Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 261, Madrid, 28046, Spain
| | - Iker Falces-Romero
- Clinical Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 261, Madrid, 28046, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma García-Clemente
- Clinical Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 261, Madrid, 28046, Spain
| | - Juana Cacho-Calvo
- Clinical Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 261, Madrid, 28046, Spain
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11
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Colón Pérez J, Villarino Fernández RA, Domínguez Lago A, Treviño Castellano MM, Pérez del Molino Bernal ML, Sánchez Poza S, Torres-Sangiao E. Addressing Sexually Transmitted Infections Due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the Present and Future. Microorganisms 2024; 12:884. [PMID: 38792714 PMCID: PMC11124187 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050884] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
It was in the 1800s when the first public publications about the infection and treatment of gonorrhoea were released. However, the first prevention programmes were only published a hundred years later. In the 1940s, the concept of vaccination was introduced into clinical prevention programmes to address early sulphonamide resistance. Since then, tons of publications on Neisseria gonorrhoeae are undisputed, around 30,000 publications today. Currently, the situation seems to be just as it was in the last century, nothing has changed or improved. So, what are we doing wrong? And more importantly, what might we do? The review presented here aims to review the current situation regarding the resistance mechanisms, prevention programmes, treatments, and vaccines, with the challenge of better understanding this special pathogen. The authors have reviewed the last five years of advancements, knowledge, and perspectives for addressing the Neisseria gonorrhoeae issue, focusing on new therapeutic alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Colón Pérez
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología Clínica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.C.P.); (A.D.L.); (M.M.T.C.); (M.L.P.d.M.B.)
- Grupo Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rosa-Antía Villarino Fernández
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Adrián Domínguez Lago
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología Clínica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.C.P.); (A.D.L.); (M.M.T.C.); (M.L.P.d.M.B.)
- Grupo Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Mercedes Treviño Castellano
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología Clínica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.C.P.); (A.D.L.); (M.M.T.C.); (M.L.P.d.M.B.)
- Grupo Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Luisa Pérez del Molino Bernal
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología Clínica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.C.P.); (A.D.L.); (M.M.T.C.); (M.L.P.d.M.B.)
- Grupo Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Sandra Sánchez Poza
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Eva Torres-Sangiao
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología Clínica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.C.P.); (A.D.L.); (M.M.T.C.); (M.L.P.d.M.B.)
- Grupo Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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12
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Müller EE, Gumede LYE, Maseko DV, Mahlangu MP, Venter JME, Da Costa Dias B, Nhlapho D, Kularatne RS. Emergence of high-level azithromycin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae causing male urethritis in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2021. Sex Health 2024; 21:NULL. [PMID: 38029797 DOI: 10.1071/sh23143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In South Africa, Neisseria gonorrhoeae , which is the predominant cause of male urethritis, is treated syndromically using dual ceftriaxone and azithromycin therapy. We determined antimicrobial susceptibilities of N. gonorrhoeae isolates from urethral discharge specimens, and genetically characterised those with elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for first-line antimicrobials. METHODS Routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of N. gonorrhoeae isolates included E-test for ceftriaxone, cefixime and gentamicin and agar dilution for azithromycin and spectinomycin. Neisseria gonorrhoeae Sequence Typing for Antimicrobial Resistance (NG-STAR) was performed for isolates with elevated MICs to identify antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Multi-Antigen Sequence Typing (NG-MAST) was used to determine strain relatedness. RESULTS N. gonorrhoeae was cultured from urethral discharge swab specimens obtained from 196 of 238 (82.4%) men presenting to a primary healthcare facility in Johannesburg in 2021. All viable isolates were susceptible to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. Four isolates had high azithromycin MICs ranging from 32mg/L to >256mg/L and grouped into two novel NG-MAST and NG-STAR groups. Two isolates from Group 1 (NG-MAST ST20366, NG-STAR ST4322) contained mutated mtrR (G45D) and 23S rRNA (A2059G) alleles, while the two isolates from Group 2 (NG-MAST ST20367, NG-STAR ST4323) had different mutations in mtrR (A39T) and 23S rRNA (C2611T). CONCLUSIONS We report the first cases of high-level azithromycin resistance in N. gonorrhoeae from South Africa. Continued AMR surveillance is critical to detect increasing azithromycin resistance prevalence in N. gonorrhoeae , which may justify future modifications to the STI syndromic management guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne E Müller
- Centre for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lindy Y E Gumede
- Centre for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Dumisile V Maseko
- Centre for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mahlape P Mahlangu
- Centre for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Johanna M E Venter
- Centre for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Bianca Da Costa Dias
- Centre for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Duduzile Nhlapho
- Centre for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ranmini S Kularatne
- Centre for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Present address: Labtests Auckland and Northland Pathology, Mt Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand
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13
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Rafetrarivony LF, Rabenandrasana MAN, Hariniaina ER, Randrianirina F, Smith AM, Crucitti T. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from patients attending a medical laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar between 2014 and 2020: phenotypical and genomic characterisation in a subset of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates. Sex Transm Infect 2024; 100:25-30. [PMID: 37945345 PMCID: PMC10850657 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2023-055878] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Antimicrobial-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) is a concern. Little is known about antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and associated genetic resistance mechanisms of NG in Madagascar. We report susceptibility data of NG isolates obtained by the medical laboratory (CBC) of the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar, during 2014-2020. We present antimicrobial resistance mechanisms data and phenotype profiles of a subset of isolates. METHODS We retrieved retrospective data (N=395) from patients with NG isolated during 2014-2020 by the CBC. We retested 46 viable isolates including 6 found ceftriaxone and 2 azithromycin resistant, as well as 33 isolated from 2020. We determined minimal inhibitory concentrations for ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, penicillin, tetracycline and spectinomycin using Etest. We obtained whole-genome sequences and identified the gene determinants associated with antimicrobial resistance and the sequence types (STs). RESULTS Over the study period, ceftriaxone-resistant isolates exceeded the threshold of 5% in 2017 (7.4% (4 of 54)) and 2020 (7.1% (3 of 42)). All retested isolates were found susceptible to ceftriaxone, azithromycin and spectinomycin, and resistant to ciprofloxacin. The majority were resistant to penicillin (83% (38 of 46)) and tetracycline (87% (40 of 46)). We detected chromosomal mutations associated with antibiotic resistance in gyrA, parC, penA, ponA, porB and mtrR genes. None of the retested isolates carried the mosaic penA gene. The high rate of resistance to penicillin and tetracycline is explained by the presence of bla TEM (94.7% (36 of 38)) and tetM (97.5% (39 of 40)). We found a high number of circulating multilocus STs. Almost half of them were new types, and one new type was among the four most predominant. CONCLUSIONS Our report provides a detailed dataset obtained through phenotypical and genotypical methods which will serve as a baseline for future surveillance of NG. We could not confirm the occurrence of ceftriaxone-resistant isolates. Our results highlight the importance of implementing quality-assured gonococcal antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Madagascar.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Anthony Marius Smith
- Centre for Enteric Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Tania Crucitti
- Experimental Bacteriology, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
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14
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Sánchez-Busó L, Sánchez-Serrano A, Golparian D, Unemo M. pyngoST: fast, simultaneous and accurate multiple sequence typing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae genome collections. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001189. [PMID: 38288762 PMCID: PMC10868605 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001189] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Extensive gonococcal surveillance has been performed using molecular typing at global, regional, national and local levels. The three main genotyping schemes for this pathogen, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), Neisseria gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) and N. gonorrhoeae sequence typing for antimicrobial resistance (NG-STAR), allow inter-laboratory and inter-study comparability and reproducibility and provide an approximation to the gonococcal population structure. With whole-genome sequencing (WGS), we obtain a substantially higher and more accurate discrimination between strains compared to previous molecular typing schemes. However, WGS remains unavailable or not affordable in many laboratories, and thus bioinformatic tools that allow the integration of data among laboratories with and without access to WGS are imperative for a joint effort to increase our understanding of global pathogen threats. Here, we present pyngoST, a command-line Python tool for fast, simultaneous and accurate sequence typing of N. gonorrhoeae from WGS assemblies. pyngoST integrates MLST, NG-MAST and NG-STAR, and can also designate NG-STAR clonal complexes, NG-MAST genogroups and penA mosaicism, facilitating multiple sequence typing from large WGS assembly collections. Exact and closest matches for existing alleles and sequence types are reported. The implementation of a fast multi-pattern searching algorithm allows pyngoST to be rapid and report results on 500 WGS assemblies in under 1 min. The mapping of typing results on a core genome tree of 2375 gonococcal genomes revealed that NG-STAR is the scheme that best represents the population structure of this pathogen, emphasizing the role of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance as a driver of gonococcal evolution. This article contains data hosted by Microreact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonor Sánchez-Busó
- Joint Research Unit ‘Infection and Public Health’, FISABIO-University of Valencia, Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Valencia, Spain
- CIBERESP, ISCIII, Spain
| | - Andrea Sánchez-Serrano
- Joint Research Unit ‘Infection and Public Health’, FISABIO-University of Valencia, Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Valencia, Spain
| | - Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
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15
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Jacobsson S, Golparian D, Oxelbark J, Kong FYS, Da Costa RMA, Franceschi F, Brown D, Louie A, Drusano G, Unemo M. Pharmacodynamics of zoliflodacin plus doxycycline combination therapy against Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a gonococcal hollow-fiber infection model. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1291885. [PMID: 38130409 PMCID: PMC10733441 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1291885] [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] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance in the sexually transmitted bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae is compromising the management and control of gonorrhea globally. Optimized use and enhanced stewardship of current antimicrobials and development of novel antimicrobials are imperative. The first in class zoliflodacin (spiropyrimidinetrione, DNA Gyrase B inhibitor) is a promising novel antimicrobial in late-stage clinical development for gonorrhea treatment, i.e., the phase III randomized controlled clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03959527) was recently finalized, and zoliflodacin showed non-inferiority compared to the recommended ceftriaxone plus azithromycin dual therapy. Doxycycline, the first-line treatment for chlamydia and empiric treatment for non-gonococcal urethritis, will be frequently given together with zoliflodacin because gonorrhea and chlamydia coinfections are common. In a previous static in vitro study, it was indicated that doxycycline/tetracycline inhibited the gonococcal killing of zoliflodacin in 6-h time-kill curve analysis. In this study, our dynamic in vitro hollow-fiber infection model (HFIM) was used to investigate combination therapies with zoliflodacin and doxycycline. Dose-range experiments using the three gonococcal strains WHO F (susceptible to relevant therapeutic antimicrobials), WHO X (extensively drug-resistant, including ceftriaxone-resistant; zoliflodacin-susceptible), and SE600/18 (zoliflodacin-susceptible strain with GyrB S467N substitution) were conducted simulating combination therapy with a single oral dose of zoliflodacin 0.5-4 g combined with a doxycycline daily oral dose of 200 mg administered as 100 mg twice a day, for 7 days (standard dose for chlamydia treatment). Comparing combination therapy of zoliflodacin (0.5-4 g single dose) plus doxycycline (200 mg divided into 100 mg twice a day orally, for 7 days) to zoliflodacin monotherapy (0.5-4 g single dose) showed that combination therapy was slightly more effective than monotherapy in the killing of N. gonorrhoeae and suppressing emergence of zoliflodacin resistance. Accordingly, WHO F was eradicated by only 0.5 g single dose of zoliflodacin in combination with doxycycline, and WHO X and SE600/18 were both eradicated by a 2 g single dose of zoliflodacin in combination with doxycycline; no zoliflodacin-resistant populations occurred during the 7-day experiment when using this zoliflodacin dose. When using suboptimal (0.5-1 g) zoliflodacin doses together with doxycycline, gonococcal mutants with increased zoliflodacin MICs, due to GyrB D429N and the novel GyrB T472P, emerged, but both the mutants had an impaired biofitness. The present study shows the high efficacy of zoliflodacin plus doxycycline combination therapy using a dynamic HFIM that more accurately and comprehensively simulate gonococcal infection and their treatment, i.e., compared to static in vitro models, such as short-time checkerboard experiments or time-kill curve analysis. Based on our dynamic in vitro HFIM work, zoliflodacin plus doxycycline for the treatment of both gonorrhea and chlamydia can be an effective combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Jacobsson
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Joakim Oxelbark
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Fabian Y. S. Kong
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Francois Franceschi
- Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David Brown
- College of Medicine, Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Arnold Louie
- College of Medicine, Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - George Drusano
- College of Medicine, Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
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16
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Baker KS, Jauneikaite E, Hopkins KL, Lo SW, Sánchez-Busó L, Getino M, Howden BP, Holt KE, Musila LA, Hendriksen RS, Amoako DG, Aanensen DM, Okeke IN, Egyir B, Nunn JG, Midega JT, Feasey NA, Peacock SJ. Genomics for public health and international surveillance of antimicrobial resistance. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2023; 4:e1047-e1055. [PMID: 37977162 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00283-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Historically, epidemiological investigation and surveillance for bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has relied on low-resolution isolate-based phenotypic analyses undertaken at local and national reference laboratories. Genomic sequencing has the potential to provide a far more high-resolution picture of AMR evolution and transmission, and is already beginning to revolutionise how public health surveillance networks monitor and tackle bacterial AMR. However, the routine integration of genomics in surveillance pipelines still has considerable barriers to overcome. In 2022, a workshop series and online consultation brought together international experts in AMR and pathogen genomics to assess the status of genomic applications for AMR surveillance in a range of settings. Here we focus on discussions around the use of genomics for public health and international AMR surveillance, noting the potential advantages of, and barriers to, implementation, and proposing recommendations from the working group to help to drive the adoption of genomics in public health AMR surveillance. These recommendations include the need to build capacity for genome sequencing and analysis, harmonising and standardising surveillance systems, developing equitable data sharing and governance frameworks, and strengthening interactions and relationships among stakeholders at multiple levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate S Baker
- Department for Clinical Infection, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Elita Jauneikaite
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Katie L Hopkins
- HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU & Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK; Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Stephanie W Lo
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Leonor Sánchez-Busó
- Genomics and Health Area, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Community (FISABIO-Public Health), Valencia, Spain; CIBERESP, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Getino
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Benjamin P Howden
- The Centre for Pathogen Genomics, Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kathryn E Holt
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Infectious Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lillian A Musila
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, United States Army Medical Research Directorate - Africa, Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rene S Hendriksen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Daniel G Amoako
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa; School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - David M Aanensen
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Big Data Institute, Oxford, UK
| | - Iruka N Okeke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Beverly Egyir
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana, West Africa
| | - Jamie G Nunn
- Infectious Disease Challenge Area, Wellcome Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Nicholas A Feasey
- Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK; Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, Malawi
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Salmerón P, Buckley C, Arando M, Alcoceba E, Romero B, Clavo P, Whiley D, Serra-Pladevall J. Genome-based epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Spain: A prospective multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2023; 37:2575-2582. [PMID: 37620291 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates combined with epidemiological and phenotypic data provides better understanding of population dynamics. AIM The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of N. gonorrhoeae isolates from three centres in Spain and determine associations of antimicrobial resistance. METHODS Genetic characterization was performed in 170 N. gonorrhoeae isolates. WGS was carried out with the HiSeq platform (Illumina). Genome assemblies were submitted to the PubMLST Neisseria database website to determine NG-MAST, MLST and NG-STAR. Antimicrobial resistance genes and point mutations were identified with PubMLST. Phylogenomic comparison was based on whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. RESULTS Twenty-six MLST, 49 NG-MAST and 41 NG-STAR sequence types were detected, the most prevalent being MLST-ST9363 (27.1%), NG-MAST ST569 (12.4%) and NG-STAR ST193 (14.7%). Phylogenetic analysis identified 13 clusters comprising 69% of the isolates, with two of note: one involved cefixime-resistant isolates from Barcelona presenting a mosaic penA X and belonging to MLST-ST7363 and the other involved azithromycin-resistant isolates from Mallorca that possessed the C2611T mutation in the four 23S rRNA alleles belonging to MLST-ST1901. CONCLUSION The population of N. gonorrhoeae is quite heterogeneous in Spain. Our results agree with previous data published in Europe, albeit with some differences in distribution between regions. This study describes the circulation of two gonococcal populations with a specific resistance profile and sequence type in a specific geographic area. WGS is an effective tool for epidemiological surveillance of gonococcal infection and detection of resistance genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Salmerón
- Microbiology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Study Group (GEITS), Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Buckley
- University of Queensland, UQ Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - M Arando
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Study Group (GEITS), Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
- Drassanes-Vall d'Hebron Sexually Transmitted Infections Unit, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Alcoceba
- Microbiology Department, Son Espases Hospital Universitari, Mallorca, Spain
| | - B Romero
- Microbiology Department, Ramón y Cajal Hospital Universitario, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - P Clavo
- Sandoval Health Centre, San Carlos Hospital Clínico, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - D Whiley
- University of Queensland, UQ Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - J Serra-Pladevall
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Study Group (GEITS), Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
- Clinical Laboratory, Hospital Universitari de Vic, Catalonia, Spain
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVIC -UCC), Vic, Spain
- Multidisciplinary Inflammation Research Group (MIRG), Fundació Institut de Recerca i Innovació en Ciències de la Vida i de la Salut de la Catalunya Central, Vic, Spain
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Kenyon C, Herrmann B, Hughes G, de Vries HJ. Management of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections in Europe: towards a differentiated, evidence-based approach. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2023; 34:100743. [PMID: 37927435 PMCID: PMC10624996 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be accurately diagnosed and treated during asymptomatic carriage. Widespread screening for these STIs is therefore assumed to be an effective way to reduce their prevalence and associated disease. In this review, we provide evidence that this is the case for HIV and syphilis. However, for other STIs such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, our review reveals that the evidence that screening reduces infection prevalence and associated disease is weak. There is also growing evidence of harms from screening that might outweigh any benefits. The harms include the increased consumption of antimicrobials that follows frequent screening and increased detection of asymptomatic STIs in key populations, such as men who have sex with men taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, and associated risk of antimicrobial resistance in target and non-target organisms. There may also be psycho-social harm associated with an STI diagnosis. We conclude that in the absence of symptoms, in high STI prevalence populations frequent STI screening should be limited to HIV and syphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Kenyon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Björn Herrmann
- Section of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gwenda Hughes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Henry J.C. de Vries
- Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Center for Sexual Health, Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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19
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Mitjà O, Padovese V, Folch C, Rossoni I, Marks M, Rodríguez i Arias MA, Telenti A, Ciuffi A, Blondeel K, Mårdh O, Casabona J. Epidemiology and determinants of reemerging bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and emerging STIs in Europe. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2023; 34:100742. [PMID: 37927427 PMCID: PMC10625005 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
In this scoping review, we offer a comprehensive understanding of the current and recent epidemiology, challenges, and emerging issues related to bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the WHO European Region. We endeavour in collating data from both EU/EEA and non- EU/EEA countries, thereby giving a complete picture of the region which highlights the higher notification rates in Northern and Western countries than other regions, likely due to differences in testing, access to testing, and surveillance capacity. We provide an up-to-date review on the current knowledge of determinants and persistent inequities in key populations as well as the use of molecular epidemiology for identifying transmission networks in gonorrhoea and syphilis, and detecting chlamydia mutations that evade molecular diagnosis. Finally, we explore the emerging STIs in the region and the evolving transmission routes of food and waterborne diseases into sexual transmission. Our findings call for harmonized STI surveillance systems, proactive strategies, and policies to address social factors, and staying vigilant for emerging STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Mitjà
- Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections Section, Hospital Universitari Germans Trías i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
- Fight Infectious Diseases Foundation, Badalona, Spain
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
| | - Valeska Padovese
- Genitourinary Clinic, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Cinta Folch
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isotta Rossoni
- Van Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance and Society, Leiden University, Netherland
| | - Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
- Division of Infection and Immunology, University College London, London, UK
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospital, London, UK
| | - Miquel Angel Rodríguez i Arias
- Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections Section, Hospital Universitari Germans Trías i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
- Fight Infectious Diseases Foundation, Badalona, Spain
| | | | - Angela Ciuffi
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Karel Blondeel
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Otilia Mårdh
- STI, Blood Borne Viruses and TB Section, Disease Programmes Unit, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Jordi Casabona
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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20
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Buder S. [Urethritis-spectrum of pathogens, diagnostics and treatment]. DERMATOLOGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 74:835-850. [PMID: 37847382 DOI: 10.1007/s00105-023-05230-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
A broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses can cause urethritis. In particular, N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium and T. vaginalis are the focus of diagnostic considerations as classic pathogens associated with sexually transmitted infections (STI). A step-by-step procedure is needed to make a definitive diagnosis. Microscopy with a staining preparation provides an initial differentiation between gonoccocal and non-gonococcal urethritis in symptomatic men as a point-of-care (POC) test. Nucleic acid amplification technology (NAAT) is used for specific and sensitive pathogen detection and, as a multiplex diagnostic test, offers the possibility of detecting several organisms from the same sample. In addition, compared to culture, no vital organisms are required, which allows the collection and use of more diverse and less invasive biological samples (e.g. first stream urine in men or vaginal swabs). Susceptibility testing by culture remains essential for N. gonorrhoeae as resistance is emerging. The treatment of urethritis depends on the suspected or proven pathogen according to the current guidelines. Treatment failure can be caused by many factors (coinfection, lack of therapy adherence, reinfection or resistance of the pathogen) and requires a repeated diagnostic and therapeutic procedure and differentiated approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Buder
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Vivantes Klinikum Berlin Neukölln, Rudower Str. 48, 12351, Berlin, Deutschland.
- Konsiliarlabor für Gonokokken, Robert Koch-Institut, Seestr. 10, 13353, Berlin, Deutschland.
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21
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Núñez-Samudio V, Herrera M, Herrera G, Pimentel-Peralta G, Landires I. The Molecular Genetic Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains Obtained from Clinical Isolates in Central Panama. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2572. [PMID: 37894230 PMCID: PMC10608929 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We aim to analyze Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in central Panama, characterize the associated gonococcal antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and conduct molecular epidemiology and genetic typing. We conducted a retrospective study based on N. gonorrhoeae hospital isolates collected between 2013 and 2018. AMR was determined using dilution agar and Etest®. Molecular typing was conducted using the Multilocus Sequence Typing (ST) scheme. The isolates analyzed (n = 30) showed resistance to penicillin (38%), tetracycline (40%), and ciprofloxacin (30%), and sensitivity to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and azithromycin. We identified 11 STs, the most frequent of which was ST1901 among the strains with decreased sensitivity and resistance to three types of antibiotics. We identified eight variations for the penA gene, all non-mosaic, with type II LVG as the most frequent (50%). To the best of our knowledge, we conducted the first Central American genomic study that analyzes a collection of gonococcal isolates, which represents a benchmark for future epidemiological and molecular genetic studies. The high prevalence of ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and penicillin resistance, in addition to the identification of the worldwide spread of multidrug-resistant clone ST1901, should prompt the continuous and reinforced surveillance of AMR, including the molecular epidemiology of N. gonorrhoeae in Panama.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Núñez-Samudio
- Instituto de Ciencias Médicas, Las Tablas 0710, Los Santos, Panama;
- Sección de Epidemiología, Departamento de Salud Pública, Región de Salud de Herrera, Ministry of Health, Chitré 0601, Herrera, Panama
| | - Mellissa Herrera
- Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Luis “Chicho” Fábrega, Región de Salud Veraguas, Ministry of Health, Santiago 0923, Veraguas, Panama; (M.H.); (G.H.)
| | - Genarino Herrera
- Laboratorio Clínico, Hospital Luis “Chicho” Fábrega, Región de Salud Veraguas, Ministry of Health, Santiago 0923, Veraguas, Panama; (M.H.); (G.H.)
| | | | - Iván Landires
- Instituto de Ciencias Médicas, Las Tablas 0710, Los Santos, Panama;
- Hospital Regional Dr. Joaquín Pablo Franco Sayas, Región de Salud de Los Santos, Ministry of Health, Las Tablas 0710, Los Santos, Panama
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22
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Mogaka FO, Stewart J, Omollo V, Bukusi E. Challenges and Solutions to STI Control in the Era of HIV and STI Prophylaxis. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2023; 20:312-319. [PMID: 37751130 PMCID: PMC10805125 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-023-00666-w] [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] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews current efforts to control bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users and outlines the opportunities and challenges to controlling STIs within HIV PrEP programs. RECENT FINDINGS The incidence of STIs continues to rise globally especially among HIV PrEP users, with an estimated 1 in 4 PrEP users having a curable bacterial STI. STIs and HIV comprise a syndemic needing dual interventions. The majority of STIs are asymptomatic, and when testing is available, many STIs occur in extragenital sites that are missed when relying on urine testing or genital swabs. Optimal testing and treatment, including testing for antimicrobial resistance, pose difficulties in high income countries and is essentially non-existent in most low- and middle-income countries. Novel STI primary prevention strategies, like doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for STI prevention, have proven to be highly efficacious in some populations. A few jurisdictions have issued normative guidelines and position statements for doxycycline PEP; however, clinical standards for implementation and data on public health impact are limited. STI incidence rates are high and rising in sexually active populations. Sexual health programs should leverage the expansion of HIV PrEP delivery services to integrate STI testing, surveillance, and novel STI prevention services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Ong'era Mogaka
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Jenell Stewart
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Victor Omollo
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Elizabeth Bukusi
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
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Vanbaelen T, Florence E, Van Dijck C, Tsoumanis A, Laumen JGE, Santhini Manoharan-Basil S, Abdellati S, De Block T, De Baetselier I, Van den Bossche D, Van Herrewege Y, Rotsaert A, Kenyon C. Effect on the Resistome of Dual vs Monotherapy for the Treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial (ResistAZM Trial). Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad462. [PMID: 37854109 PMCID: PMC10580146 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad462] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background No randomized controlled trial (RCT) has compared the impact on the resistome of ceftriaxone (CRO) plus azithromycin (AZM) vs CRO for the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG). Methods This was an open-label, single-center, RCT comparing the effect on the resistome of CRO plus AZM vs CRO for the treatment of NG. Men who have sex with men (MSM) with genital, anorectal, or pharyngeal NG infection were randomized into the CRO/AZM and CRO arms. Oral rinse and anorectal samples were taken for culture and resistome profiling at 2 visits (baseline and day 14). The primary outcome was the ratio of mean macrolide resistance determinants in anorectal samples from day 14 between arms. Results Twenty individuals were randomized into the CRO/AZM arm and 22 into the CRO arm. We found no significant difference in the mean macrolide resistance determinants in the day 14 anorectal samples between arms (ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.55-1.83; P = .102). The prevalence of baseline macrolide resistance was high (CRO/AZM arm = 95.00%; CRO arm = 90.91%). Conclusions We could not demonstrate a significant effect of dual CRO/AZM therapy on the resistome compared with CRO alone, likely due to a high baseline resistance to AZM. Interventions to prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in MSM are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaut Vanbaelen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eric Florence
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Christophe Van Dijck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Achilleas Tsoumanis
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | - Saïd Abdellati
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tessa De Block
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Irith De Baetselier
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Yven Van Herrewege
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Anke Rotsaert
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Chris Kenyon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Vestberg N, Bhattarai KH, Fang H. Antimicrobial susceptibilities and genomic epidemiology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Stockholm, Sweden. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 42:1073-1079. [PMID: 37442885 PMCID: PMC10427702 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04633-6] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the genomic epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibilities of N. gonorrhoeae isolates in Stockholm, Sweden. In total, 6723 isolates detected in Stockholm, Sweden, from January 2016 to September 2022, were examined for antimicrobial susceptibilities by using E-test. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was applied to isolates in sentinel surveillance and isolates resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) or high-level azithromycin (HLAzi-R, MIC ≥ 256 mg/L). As sentinel surveillance, consecutive clinical isolates (n = 396) detected every 4th week from January 2021 to September 2022 were enrolled in the study. Of the 6723 isolates investigated, 33 isolates (< 1%) were found to be resistant to cefixime, one of which was co-resistant to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin and was detected in September 2022. Ten isolates presented a high level of azithromycin resistance. Resistant rates to ciprofloxacin varied from 32 in 2017 to 68-69% in 2021-2022. Elevated MIC50 and MIC90 of azithromycin were observed over the years. No resistance to spectinomycin was identified. The most frequently occurring MLST in the sentinel surveillance was ST9362 (23%), followed by ST11706 (9%), ST7359 (8%), ST10314 (7%), and ST11422 (6%). The ceftriaxone-resistant isolate belonged to ST8130 and the novel NG-STAR ST4859. Genomic resistance traits found in this strain included mutations in genes mtrR (A39T), parC (S87N), and gyrA (S91F and D95A), as well as the presence of blaTEM-135 and tetM genes. A predominance of ST9362 was observed in Stockholm. The high number of azithromycin and ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates and the emergence of a strain with a novel NG-STAR are of great concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Vestberg
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Haij Bhattarai
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hong Fang
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
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25
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Kenyon C, Gestels Z, Vanbaelen T, Abdellati S, Van Den Bossche D, De Baetselier I, Xavier BB, Manoharan-Basil SS. Doxycycline PEP can induce doxycycline resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae in a Galleria mellonella model of PEP. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1208014. [PMID: 37711686 PMCID: PMC10498386 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1208014] [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] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Four randomized controlled trials have now established that doxycycline post exposure (sex) prophylaxis (PEP) can reduce the incidence of chlamydia and syphilis in men who have sex with men. These studies have concluded that the risk of selecting for antimicrobial resistance is low. We evaluated this risk in vitro and in vivo using a Galleria mellonella infection model. Methods We evaluated how long it took for doxycycline resistance to emerge during passage on doxycycline containing agar plates in 4 species - Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria subflava. We then assessed if K. pneumoniae could acquire resistance to doxycycline (and cross resistance to other antimicrobials) during intermittent exposure to doxycycline in a Galleria mellonella model of doxycycline PEP. Results In our passage experiments, we found that resistance first emerged in K. pneumoniae. By day 7 the K. pneumoniae MIC had increased from 2 mg/L to a median of 96 mg/L (IQR 64-96). Under various simulations of doxycycline PEP in the G. mellonella model, the doxycycline MIC of K. pneumoniae increased from 2 mg/L to 48 mg/L (IQR 48-84). Ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin MICs increased over ten-fold. Whole genome sequencing revealed acquired mutations in ramR which regulates the expression of the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump. Conclusion Doxycycline PEP can select for doxycycline, ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin resistance in K. pneumoniae in a G. mellonella model. The emergent ramR mutations were similar to those seen in circulating strains of K. pneumoniae. These findings suggest that we need to assess the effect of doxycycline PEP on resistance induction on a broader range of bacterial species than has hitherto been the case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Kenyon
- STI Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Zina Gestels
- STI Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Thibaut Vanbaelen
- STI Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Said Abdellati
- Clinical Reference Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dorien Van Den Bossche
- Clinical Reference Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Irith De Baetselier
- Clinical Reference Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Basil Britto Xavier
- STI Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Hospital Outbreak Support Team-HOST, Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen Middelheim, Antwerp, Belgium
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Gianecini RA, Poklepovich T, Golparian D, Cuenca N, Scocozza L, Bergese S, Canigia LF, Vilches V, Lazzarino Elgart MJ, Unemo M, Campos J, Galarza P. Sustained Transmission of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains with High-Level Azithromycin Resistance (MIC ≥ 256 μg/mL) in Argentina, 2018 to 2022. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0097023. [PMID: 37338369 PMCID: PMC10433793 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00970-23] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Azithromycin combined with ceftriaxone is the recommended dual therapy for uncomplicated gonorrhea in many countries. Nevertheless, the increasing prevalence of azithromycin resistance compromises the effectiveness of this treatment strategy. From 2018 to 2022, we collected 13 gonococcal isolates with high-level azithromycin resistance (MIC ≥ 256 μg/mL) across Argentina. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that these isolates were mainly represented by the internationally spreading Neisseria gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) genogroup G12302, containing the 23S rRNA A2059G mutation (in all four alleles) together with mosaic mtrD and mtrR promoter 2 loci. This information is important to develop targeted public health policies to control the spread of azithromycin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae in Argentina and internationally. IMPORTANCE Azithromycin resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been increasing in numerous populations worldwide, which is of concern, as azithromycin is part of the recommended dual treatment in many countries. Here, we report 13 N. gonorrhoeae isolates with high-level azithromycin resistance (MIC ≥ 256 μg/mL). This study observed that high-level azithromycin-resistant gonococcal strains have shown sustained transmission in Argentina and are related to the successful international clone NG-MAST G12302. Genomic surveillance together with real-time tracing and data-sharing networks will be crucial in controlling the spread of azithromycin resistance in gonococcus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Ariel Gianecini
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance, National Reference Laboratory of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), National Institute of Infectious Diseases - ANLIS “Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán”, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tomas Poklepovich
- National Center of Genomics and Bioinformatics - ANLIS “Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán”, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel Golparian
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Noelia Cuenca
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance, National Reference Laboratory of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), National Institute of Infectious Diseases - ANLIS “Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán”, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Scocozza
- Laboratorio Bacteriología, Hospital Fernández, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvina Bergese
- Laboratorio Bacteriología, Hospital Alemán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Viviana Vilches
- Laboratorio Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Magnus Unemo
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Josefina Campos
- National Center of Genomics and Bioinformatics - ANLIS “Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán”, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia Galarza
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance, National Reference Laboratory of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), National Institute of Infectious Diseases - ANLIS “Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán”, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Kakooza F, Golparian D, Matoga M, Maseko V, Lamorde M, Krysiak R, Manabe YC, Chen JS, Kularatne R, Jacobsson S, Godreuil S, Hoffman I, Bercot B, Wi T, Unemo M. Genomic surveillance and antimicrobial resistance determinants in Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from Uganda, Malawi and South Africa, 2015-20. J Antimicrob Chemother 2023; 78:1982-1991. [PMID: 37352017 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkad193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is essential. In 2017-18, only five (10.6%) countries in the WHO African Region reported to the WHO Global Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (WHO GASP). Genomics enhances our understanding of gonococcal populations nationally and internationally, including AMR strain transmission; however, genomic studies from Africa are extremely scarce. We describe the gonococcal genomic lineages/sublineages, including AMR determinants, and baseline genomic diversity among strains in Uganda, Malawi and South Africa, 2015-20, and compare with sequences from Kenya and Burkina Faso. METHODS Gonococcal isolates cultured in Uganda (n = 433), Malawi (n = 154) and South Africa (n = 99) in 2015-20 were genome-sequenced. MICs were determined using ETEST. Sequences of isolates from Kenya (n = 159), Burkina Faso (n = 52) and the 2016 WHO reference strains (n = 14) were included in the analysis. RESULTS Resistance to ciprofloxacin was high in all countries (57.1%-100%). All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, cefixime and spectinomycin, and 99.9% were susceptible to azithromycin. AMR determinants for ciprofloxacin, benzylpenicillin and tetracycline were common, but rare for cephalosporins and azithromycin. Most isolates belonged to the more antimicrobial-susceptible lineage B (n = 780) compared with the AMR lineage A (n = 141), and limited geographical phylogenomic signal was observed. CONCLUSIONS We report the first multi-country gonococcal genomic comparison from Africa, which will support the WHO GASP and WHO enhanced GASP (EGASP). The high prevalence of resistance to ciprofloxacin (and empirical use continues), tetracycline and benzylpenicillin, and the emerging resistance determinants for azithromycin show it is imperative to strengthen the gonococcal AMR surveillance, ideally including genomics, in African countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Kakooza
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Daniel Golparian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | | | - Venessa Maseko
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mohammed Lamorde
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Yuka C Manabe
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jane S Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ranmini Kularatne
- Labtests Laboratory and Head Office, Mt Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Susanne Jacobsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Sylvain Godreuil
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, and MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Irving Hoffman
- UNC Project Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Beatrice Bercot
- Infectious Agents Department, French National Reference Centre for Bacterial STIs, Associated Laboratory for Gonococci, and APHP, Saint Louis Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Teodora Wi
- Department of the Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Magnus Unemo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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Chen X, Chen S, Li C, Shi L, Zhu Y, Yao Y. Analysis and prediction of the incidence and prevalence trends of gonorrhea in China. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2256907. [PMID: 37807860 PMCID: PMC10563614 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2256907] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand the epidemiological trend of gonorrhea in China from 2004 to 2021, predict the prevalence of the disease, and provide basic theory and data support for monitoring and managing gonorrhea. Gonorrhea incidence data in China from 2004 to 2021 were collected through the China Public Health Science Data Center and National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control, and the incidence and epidemiological characteristics were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Joinpoint and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models. A linear correlation model was used to analyze the correlation between gross domestic product (GDP) and the incidence rate. From 2004 to 2021, a total of 2,289,435 cases of gonorrhea were reported in China, with an average reported incidence rate of 9.46/100,000 people and a downward followed by an upward trend. Individuals with gonorrhea were primarily 20-30 y of age, with 1,034,847 cases (53.38%) from 2004 to 2018. The trend of increasing incidence was most obvious in the 10-20 age group (5,811 cases in 2004 to 12,752 cases in 2018, AAPC = 6.1, P < .001). The incidence of gonorrhea in China was negatively correlated with GDP from 2004 to 2021 (r = -0.547, P = .019). The correlation coefficient between the average incidence growth rate of each region from 2012 to 2018 and the average growth rate of regional GDP was 0.673 (P < .01). The root mean square error (RMSE) of the ARIMA model was 4.89%, showing powerful performance. There would be 97,910 gonorrhea cases in 2023 as predicted by the model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueya Chen
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Shaochun Chen
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- National Center for STD Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuanyin Li
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Li Shi
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yongzhang Zhu
- School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- One Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University-The University of Edinburgh, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufeng Yao
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Tayimetha CY, Njunda LA, Akenji B, Founou RC, Feteh V, Zofou D, Chafa A, Oyono Y, Etogo B, Tseuko D, Fonkoua MC, Harrison OB. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2019 to 2020. Microb Genom 2023; 9:mgen001091. [PMID: 37590058 PMCID: PMC10483411 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001091] [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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes and genotypes exhibited by Neisseria gonorrhoeae from Yaoundé, Cameroon. AMR to tetracycline, penicillin and ciprofloxacin was observed although none of the isolates had reduced susceptibility to azithromycin, cefixime or ceftriaxone. Whole genome sequence (WGS) data were obtained and, using a threshold of 300 or fewer locus differences in the N. gonorrhoeae core gene multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) scheme, four distinct core genome lineages were identified. Publicly available WGS data from 1355 gonococci belonging to these four lineages were retrieved from the PubMLST database, allowing the Cameroonian isolates to be examined in the context of existing data and compared with related gonococci. Examination of AMR genotypes in this dataset found an association between the core genome and AMR with, for example, isolates belonging to the core genome group, Ng_cgc_300 : 21, possessing GyrA and ParC alleles with amino acid substitutions conferring high-level resistance to ciprofloxacin while lineages Ng_cgc_300 : 41 and Ng_cgc_300 : 243 were predicted to be susceptible to several antimicrobials. A core genome lineage, Ng_cgc_300 : 498, was observed which largely consisted of gonococci originating from Africa. Analyses from this study demonstrate the advantages of using the N. gonorrhoeae cgMLST scheme to find related gonococci to carry out genomic analyses that enhance our understanding of the population biology of this important pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolle Yanique Tayimetha
- Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- National Public Health Laboratory, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | | | - Blaise Akenji
- National Public Health Laboratory, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Raspail Carrel Founou
- Department of Microbiology, Haematology and Immunology of University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Vitalis Feteh
- Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Denis Zofou
- Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Anicet Chafa
- Medical Bacteriology Laboratory of University Hospital Center, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Yannick Oyono
- Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | | | - Dorine Tseuko
- National Public Health Laboratory, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Marie Christine Fonkoua
- Centre Pasteur du Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Cameroonian Society of Microbiology, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Odile B. Harrison
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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30
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Golparian D, Jacobsson S, Holley CL, Shafer WM, Unemo M. High-level in vitro resistance to gentamicin acquired in a stepwise manner in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. J Antimicrob Chemother 2023; 78:1769-1778. [PMID: 37253051 PMCID: PMC10517096 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkad168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Gentamicin is used in several alternative treatments for gonorrhoea. Verified clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates with gentamicin resistance are mainly lacking and understanding the mechanisms for gonococcal gentamicin resistance is imperative. We selected gentamicin resistance in gonococci in vitro, identified the novel gentamicin-resistance mutations, and examined the biofitness of a high-level gentamicin-resistant mutant. METHODS Low- and high-level gentamicin resistance was selected in WHO X (gentamicin MIC = 4 mg/L) on gentamicin-gradient agar plates. Selected mutants were whole-genome sequenced. Potential gentamicin-resistance fusA mutations were transformed into WT strains to verify their impact on gentamicin MICs. The biofitness of high-level gentamicin-resistant mutants was examined using a competitive assay in a hollow-fibre infection model. RESULTS WHO X mutants with gentamicin MICs of up to 128 mg/L were selected. Primarily selected fusA mutations were further investigated, and fusAR635L and fusAM520I + R635L were particularly interesting. Different mutations in fusA and ubiM were found in low-level gentamicin-resistant mutants, while fusAM520I was associated with high-level gentamicin resistance. Protein structure predictions showed that fusAM520I is located in domain IV of the elongation factor-G (EF-G). The high-level gentamicin-resistant WHO X mutant was outcompeted by the gentamicin-susceptible WHO X parental strain, suggesting lower biofitness. CONCLUSIONS We describe the first high-level gentamicin-resistant gonococcal isolate (MIC = 128 mg/L), which was selected in vitro through experimental evolution. The most substantial increases of the gentamicin MICs were caused by mutations in fusA (G1560A and G1904T encoding EF-G M520I and R635L, respectively) and ubiM (D186N). The high-level gentamicin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae mutant showed impaired biofitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Golparian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Susanne Jacobsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Concerta L Holley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - William M Shafer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- The Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Laboratories of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Magnus Unemo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
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31
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Kandinov I, Dementieva E, Filippova M, Vinokurova A, Gorshkova S, Kubanov A, Solomka V, Shagabieva J, Deryabin D, Shaskolskiy B, Gryadunov D. Emergence of Azithromycin-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates Belonging to the NG-MAST Genogroup 12302 in Russia. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1226. [PMID: 37317200 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of this work was to determine the factors affecting the emergence of azithromycin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in Russia, where azithromycin was never recommended for the treatment of gonococcal infections. Clinical N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected in 2018-2021 (428 isolates) were analyzed. No azithromycin-resistant isolates were found in 2018-2019, but in 2020-2021, a significant increase in the ratio of azithromycin-resistant isolates was observed: 16.8% and 9.3%, respectively. A hydrogel DNA microarray was developed for the analysis of resistance determinants: mutations in the genes encoding the mtrCDE efflux system and in all four copies of the 23S rRNA gene (position 2611). A majority of the azithromycin-resistant Russian isolates belonged to the NG-MAST G12302 genogroup, and the resistance was associated with the presence of a mosaic structure of the mtrR gene promoter region with the -35 delA deletion, an Ala86Thr mutation in the mtrR gene, and a mosaic structure of the mtrD gene. A comparative phylogenetic study of modern Russian and European N. gonorrhoeae populations allowed us to conclude that the emergence of azithromycin resistance in Russia in 2020 was the result of the appearance and spread of European N. gonorrhoeae strains belonging to the G12302 genogroup due to possible cross-border transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya Kandinov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Dementieva
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina Filippova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandra Vinokurova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sofya Gorshkova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey Kubanov
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology of Russian Ministry of Health, Korolenko Street, 3, 107076 Moscow, Russia
| | - Victoria Solomka
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology of Russian Ministry of Health, Korolenko Street, 3, 107076 Moscow, Russia
| | - Julia Shagabieva
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology of Russian Ministry of Health, Korolenko Street, 3, 107076 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Deryabin
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology of Russian Ministry of Health, Korolenko Street, 3, 107076 Moscow, Russia
| | - Boris Shaskolskiy
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Gryadunov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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32
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Martin SL, Mortimer TD, Grad YH. Machine learning models for Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1520:74-88. [PMID: 36573759 PMCID: PMC9974846 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14549] [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] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent public health threat due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. As most isolates in the United States are susceptible to at least one antibiotic, rapid molecular antimicrobial susceptibility tests (ASTs) would offer the opportunity to tailor antibiotic therapy, thereby expanding treatment options. With genome sequence and antibiotic resistance phenotype data for nearly 20,000 clinical N. gonorrhoeae isolates now available, there is an opportunity to use statistical methods to develop sequence-based diagnostics that predict antibiotic susceptibility from genotype. N. gonorrhoeae, therefore, provides a useful example illustrating how to apply machine learning models to aid in the design of sequence-based ASTs. We present an overview of this framework, which begins with establishing the assay technology, the performance criteria, the population in which the diagnostic will be used, and the clinical goals, and extends to the choices that must be made to arrive at a set of features with the desired properties for predicting susceptibility phenotype from genotype. While we focus on the example of N. gonorrhoeae, the framework generalizes to other organisms for which large-scale genotype and antibiotic resistance data can be combined to aid in diagnostics development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skylar L. Martin
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tatum D. Mortimer
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yonatan H. Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Kandinov I, Shaskolskiy B, Kravtsov D, Vinokurova A, Gorshkova S, Kubanov A, Solomka V, Shagabieva J, Deryabin D, Dementieva E, Gryadunov D. Azithromycin Susceptibility Testing and Molecular Investigation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates Collected in Russia, 2020-2021. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12010170. [PMID: 36671371 PMCID: PMC9854565 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12010170] [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] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work was to study the resistance to macrolides (azithromycin) in the modern Russian population of N. gonorrhoeae with the analysis of genetic resistance determinants. Azithromycin is not used to treat gonococcal infection in Russia. However, among 162 isolates collected in 2020-2021, 22 isolates (13.6%) were phenotypically resistant to azithromycin. Mutations in 23S rRNA genes were found only in two isolates; erm and mefA genes were absent. Azithromycin resistance was shown to be predominantly associated with mutations in the mtrR and mtrD genes of the MtrCDE efflux pump and their mosaic alleles which may have formed due to a horizontal transfer from N. meningitidis. A total of 30 types of mtrR alleles and 10 types of mtrD alleles were identified including mosaic variants. Matching between the mtrR and mtrD alleles was revealed to indicate the cooperative molecular evolution of these genes. A link between the mtrR and mtrD alleles and NG-MAST types was found only for NG-MAST 228 and 807, typical of N. gonorrhoeae in Russia. The high level of resistance to azithromycin in Russia may be related to the spread of multiple transferable resistance to antimicrobials regardless of their use in the treatment of gonococcal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya Kandinov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Correspondence:
| | - Boris Shaskolskiy
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Dmitry Kravtsov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Alexandra Vinokurova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Sofya Gorshkova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Alexey Kubanov
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology, Russian Ministry of Health, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Victoria Solomka
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology, Russian Ministry of Health, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Julia Shagabieva
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology, Russian Ministry of Health, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Dmitry Deryabin
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology, Russian Ministry of Health, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Dementieva
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Dmitry Gryadunov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia
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Kakooza F, Kiggundu R, Mboowa G, Kateete PD, Nsangi OT, Kabahita JM, Ssentalo Bagaya B, Golparian D, Unemo M. Antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance and antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Africa from 2001 to 2020: A mini-review. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1148817. [PMID: 37089569 PMCID: PMC10117771 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1148817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), compromising gonorrhea treatment, is a global public health concern. Improved, quality-assured NG AMR monitoring at the global level is essential. This mini-review examined NG AMR susceptibility surveillance and AMR data from the African continent from 2001 to 2020. Eligible peer-reviewed publications (n = 30) containing NG AMR data for antimicrobials currently recommended for gonorrhea treatment were included. Overall, very limited NG surveillance and AMR data was available. Furthermore, the NG AMR surveillance studies varied greatly regarding surveillance protocols (e.g., populations and samples tested, sample size, antimicrobials examined), methodologies (e.g., antimicrobial susceptibility testing method [agar dilution, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) gradient strip test, disc diffusion test] and interpretative criteria), and quality assurance (internal quality controls, external quality assessments [EQA], and verification of AMR detected). Moreover, most studies examined a suboptimal number of NG isolates, i.e., less than the WHO Global Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (GASP) and WHO Enhanced GASP (EGASP) recommendations of ≥100 isolates per setting and year. The notable inter-study variability and frequently small sample sizes make appropriate inter-study and inter-country comparisons of AMR data difficult. In conclusion, it is imperative to establish an enhanced, standardized and quality-assured NG AMR surveillance, ideally including patient metadata and genome sequencing as in WHO EGASP, in Africa, the region with the highest gonorrhea incidence globally. This will enable the monitoring of AMR trends, detection of emerging AMR, and timely refinements of national and international gonorrhea treatment guidelines. To achieve this aim, national and international leadership, political and financial commitments are imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Kakooza
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Reuben Kiggundu
- USAID Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program, Management Sciences for Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Gerald Mboowa
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Patrick David Kateete
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Olga Tendo Nsangi
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jupiter Marina Kabahita
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bernard Ssentalo Bagaya
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Magnus Unemo,
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The Optimal Management of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122388. [PMID: 36557641 PMCID: PMC9784239 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122388] [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] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is one of the most frequent etiologic agents of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). Untreated asymptomatic gonococcal infection in women can lead to spreading of the infection in the sexually active population and could lead to late consequences, such as sterility or ectopic pregnancies. One important issue about N. gonorrhoeae is its increasing resistance to antibiotics. This paper summarized the newest molecular antimicrobial resistance (AMR) detection assays for Neisseria gonorrhoeae connected with the latest therapeutic antimicrobials and gonococcal vaccine candidates. The assays used to detect AMR varied from the classical minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) detection to whole-genome sequencing. New drugs against multi drug resistant (MDR) N. gonorrhoeae have been proposed and were evaluated in vivo and in vitro as being efficient in decreasing the N. gonorrhoeae burden. In addition, anti-N. gonorrhoeae vaccine candidates are being researched, which have been assessed by multiple techniques. With the efforts of many researchers who are studying the detection of antimicrobial resistance in this bacterium and identifying new drugs and new vaccine candidates against it, there is hope in reducing the gonorrhea burden worldwide.
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Nokchan N, Nitayanon P, Tribuddharat C. Molecular epidemiology of penicillinase-producing <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> isolates and their <i>bla</i><sub>TEM-135</sub> gene variant in Bangkok, Thailand, 2015–2017. Jpn J Infect Dis 2022; 76:126-134. [PMID: 36450575 DOI: 10.7883/yoken.jjid.2022.484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) possessing blaTEM-135 is a serious public health threat. With only a single change in the amino acid sequence, blaTEM-135 could evolve into a TEM-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), which hydrolyzes extended-spectrum cephalosporins, including ceftriaxone and cefixime. We investigated the molecular epidemiological characteristics, types of plasmids in PPNG isolates, and prevalence of PPNG clinical isolates producing TEM-135 beta-lactamases. N. gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) was used to determine the molecular epidemiological characteristics of 99 PPNG isolates collected from 2015 to 2017. A mismatch amplification mutation assay was used to examine the blaTEM-135 gene prevalence. Of the 89 identified NG-MAST sequence types, 65 (73.0%) were novel. Only 17.7% (43/243) of PPNG isolates belonged to 16 genogroups. The most frequent plasmid was African, followed by Rio/Toronto, and Asian. The blaTEM-135 allele was found in Rio/Toronto plasmids. The blaTEM-135 allele was present in 23.2% (23/99) of the PPNG isolates. PPNG isolates expressing TEM-135 beta-lactamase exhibited significantly higher penicillin MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values than TEM-1 PPNG isolates. The PPNG isolates showed high genetic diversity and a high proportion of blaTEM-135 alleles. Mutation of the blaTEM-135 allele is worrisome as only one mutation could cause TEM-1 to evolve into an ESBL variant that degrades ceftriaxone. Ongoing surveillance of blaTEM-135 and new PPNG isolates is imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natakorn Nokchan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand
| | - Perapon Nitayanon
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand
| | - Chanwit Tribuddharat
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand
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Jacobsson S, Golparian D, Oxelbark J, Wicha WW, da Costa RMA, Franceschi F, Brown D, Louie A, Gelone SP, Drusano G, Unemo M. Pharmacodynamic evaluation of lefamulin in the treatment of gonorrhea using a hollow fiber infection model simulating Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1035841. [PMID: 36452226 PMCID: PMC9702083 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1035841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is seriously threatening the treatment and control of gonorrhea globally. Novel treatment options are essential, coupled with appropriate methods to pharmacodynamically examine the efficacy and resistance emergence of these novel drugs. Herein, we used our dynamic in vitro hollow fiber infection model (HFIM) to evaluate protein-unbound lefamulin, a semisynthetic pleuromutilin, against N. gonorrhoeae. Dose-range and dose-fractionation experiments with N. gonorrhoeae reference strains: WHO F (susceptible to all relevant antimicrobials), WHO X (extensively drug-resistant, including ceftriaxone resistance), and WHO V (high-level azithromycin resistant, and highest gonococcal MIC of lefamulin (2 mg/l) reported), were performed to examine lefamulin gonococcal killing and resistance development during treatment. The dose-range experiments, simulating a single oral dose of lefamulin based on human plasma concentrations, indicated that ≥1.2 g, ≥2.8 g, and ≥9.6 g of lefamulin were required to eradicate WHO F, X, and V, respectively. Dose-fractionation experiments, based on human lefamulin plasma concentrations, showed that WHO X was eradicated with ≥2.8 g per day when administered as q12 h (1.4 g twice a day) and with ≥3.6 g per day when administered as q8 h (1.2 g thrice a day), both for 7 days. However, when simulating the treatment with 5-10 times higher concentrations of free lefamulin in relevant gonorrhea tissues (based on urogenital tissues in a rat model), 600 mg every 12 h for 5 days (approved oral treatment for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia) eradicated all strains, and no lefamulin resistance emerged in the successful treatment arms. In many arms failing single or multiple dose treatments for WHO X, lefamulin-resistant mutants (MIC = 2 mg/l), containing an A132V amino acid substitution in ribosomal protein L3, were selected. Nevertheless, these lefamulin-resistant mutants demonstrated an impaired biofitness. In conclusion, a clinical study is warranted to elucidate the clinical potential of lefamulin as a treatment option for uncomplicated gonorrhea (as well as several other bacterial STIs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Jacobsson
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Joakim Oxelbark
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | | | | | - Francois Franceschi
- Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David Brown
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Arnold Louie
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Steven P. Gelone
- Nabriva Therapeutics US Inc., Fort Washington, PA, United States
| | - George Drusano
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
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Khoder M, Osman M, Kassem II, Rafei R, Shahin A, Fournier PE, Rolain JM, Hamze M. Whole Genome Analyses Accurately Identify Neisseria spp. and Limit Taxonomic Ambiguity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13456. [PMID: 36362240 PMCID: PMC9657967 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome sequencing facilitates the study of bacterial taxonomy and allows the re-evaluation of the taxonomic relationships between species. Here, we aimed to analyze the draft genomes of four commensal Neisseria clinical isolates from the semen of infertile Lebanese men. To determine the phylogenetic relationships among these strains and other Neisseria spp. and to confirm their identity at the genomic level, we compared the genomes of these four isolates with the complete genome sequences of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis and the draft genomes of Neisseria flavescens, Neisseria perflava, Neisseria mucosa, and Neisseria macacae that are available in the NCBI Genbank database. Our findings revealed that the WGS analysis accurately identified and corroborated the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) species identities of the Neisseria isolates. The combination of three well-established genome-based taxonomic tools (in silico DNA-DNA Hybridization, Ortho Average Nucleotide identity, and pangenomic studies) proved to be relatively the best identification approach. Notably, we also discovered that some Neisseria strains that are deposited in databases contain many taxonomical errors. The latter is very important and must be addressed to prevent misdiagnosis and missing emerging etiologies. We also highlight the need for robust cut-offs to delineate the species using genomic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- May Khoder
- Laboratoire Microbiologie, Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Microbes, Evolution, Phylogénie et Infection (MEPHI), Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Marwan Osman
- Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Issmat I Kassem
- Center for Food Safety, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA 30223-1797, USA
| | - Rayane Rafei
- Laboratoire Microbiologie, Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon
| | - Ahmad Shahin
- Laboratoire Microbiologie, Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon
| | - Pierre Edouard Fournier
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Microbes, Evolution, Phylogénie et Infection (MEPHI), Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Marc Rolain
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Microbes, Evolution, Phylogénie et Infection (MEPHI), Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Monzer Hamze
- Laboratoire Microbiologie, Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon
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Day M, Pitt R, Mody N, Saunders J, Rai R, Nori A, Church H, Mensforth S, Corkin H, Jones J, Naicker P, Khan WM, Thomson Glover R, Mortimer K, Hylton C, Moss E, Pasvol TJ, Richardson A, Sun S, Woodford N, Mohammed H, Sinka K, Fifer H. Detection of 10 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the United Kingdom, December 2021 to June 2022. Euro Surveill 2022; 27:2200803. [PMID: 36398578 PMCID: PMC9673238 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.46.2200803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Between December 2021 and June 2022, 10 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (ST8123; n = 8) were detected in the United Kingdom, compared with nine cases during the previous 6 years. Most of these cases were associated with travel from the Asia-Pacific region; all were heterosexual people, with most in their 20s. Although all cases were successfully treated, not all partners of cases could be traced, and there is a risk of further transmission of ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcal infection within the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Day
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Pitt
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nisha Mody
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - John Saunders
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rupa Rai
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Achyuta Nori
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Church
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Mensforth
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Corkin
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline Jones
- Sexual Health Department Singleton Hospital, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Preneshni Naicker
- Public Health Wales Microbiology Swansea, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Wazirzada M Khan
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Thomson Glover
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kalani Mortimer
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chloe Hylton
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Moss
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Joshua Pasvol
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ania Richardson
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suzy Sun
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Woodford
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hamish Mohammed
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katy Sinka
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Fifer
- National Incident Management Team, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
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Radovanovic M, Kekic D, Jovicevic M, Kabic J, Gajic I, Opavski N, Ranin L. Current Susceptibility Surveillance and Distribution of Antimicrobial Resistance in N. gonorrheae within WHO Regions. Pathogens 2022; 11:1230. [PMID: 36364980 PMCID: PMC9697523 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) is the etiological agent of the second most common sexually transmitted disease in the world, gonorrhoea. Currently recommended and last available first-line therapy is extended-spectrum cephalosporins most often combined with azitromycin. However, misuse of antibiotics and the abilities of N. gonorrhoeae to acquire new genetic and plasmid-borne resistance determinants has gradually led to the situation where this bacterium has become resistant to all major classes of antibiotics. Together with a generally slow update of treatment guidelines globally, as well as with the high capacity of gonococci to develop and retain AMR, this may lead to the global worsening of gonococcal AMR. Since effective vaccines are unavailable, the management of gonorrhoea relies mostly on prevention and accurate diagnosis, together with antimicrobial treatment. The study overviews the latest results of mostly WHO-initiated studies, primarily focusing on the data regarding the molecular basis of the resistance to the current and novel most promising antibacterial agents, which could serve to establish or reinforce the continual, quality-assured and comparable AMR surveillance, including systematic monitoring and treatment with the use of molecular AMR prediction methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Radovanovic
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Dusan Kekic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Milos Jovicevic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Jovana Kabic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Ina Gajic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Natasa Opavski
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Lazar Ranin
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
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Molecular Mechanisms of Drug Resistance and Epidemiology of Multidrug-Resistant Variants of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810499. [PMID: 36142410 PMCID: PMC9505821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The paper presents various issues related to the increasing drug resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and the occurrence and spread of multidrug-resistant clones. One of the most important is the incidence and evolution of resistance mechanisms of N. gonorrhoeae to beta-lactam antibiotics. Chromosomal resistance to penicillins and oxyimino-cephalosporins and plasmid resistance to penicillins are discussed. Chromosomal resistance is associated with the presence of mutations in the PBP2 protein, containing mosaic variants and nonmosaic amino acid substitutions in the transpeptidase domain, and their correlation with mutations in the mtrR gene and its promoter regions (the MtrCDE membrane pump repressor) and in several other genes, which together determine reduced sensitivity or resistance to ceftriaxone and cefixime. Plasmid resistance to penicillins results from the production of beta-lactamases. There are different types of beta-lactamases as well as penicillinase plasmids. In addition to resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, the paper covers the mechanisms and occurrence of resistance to macrolides (azithromycin), fluoroquinolones and some other antibiotics. Moreover, the most important epidemiological types of multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae, prevalent in specific years and regions, are discussed. Epidemiological types are defined as sequence types, clonal complexes and genogroups obtained by various typing systems such as NG-STAR, NG-MAST and MLST. New perspectives on the treatment of N. gonorrhoeae infections are also presented, including new drugs active against multidrug-resistant strains.
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Antibiotic Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Challenges in Research and Treatment. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091699. [PMID: 36144300 PMCID: PMC9505656 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonococcal infection caused by the Gram-negative bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide [...]
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43
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Ayala JC, Balthazar JT, Shafer WM. Transcriptional regulation of the mtrCDE efflux pump operon: importance for Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168. [PMID: 35916832 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on the mechanisms of transcriptional control of an important multidrug efflux pump system (MtrCDE) possessed by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the aetiological agent of the sexually transmitted infection termed gonorrhoea. The mtrCDE operon that encodes this tripartite protein efflux pump is subject to both cis- and trans-acting transcriptional factors that negatively or positively influence expression. Critically, levels of MtrCDE can influence levels of gonococcal susceptibility to classical antibiotics, host-derived antimicrobials and various biocides. The regulatory systems that control mtrCDE can have profound influences on the capacity of gonococci to resist current and past antibiotic therapy regimens as well as virulence. The emergence, mechanisms of action and clinical significance of the transcriptional regulatory systems that impact mtrCDE expression in gonococci are reviewed here with the aim of linking bacterial antimicrobial resistance with multidrug efflux capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio C Ayala
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA
| | - Jacqueline T Balthazar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA
| | - William M Shafer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA.,Laboratories of Bacterial Pathogenesis, VA Medical Center (Atlanta), Decatur, Georgia, 30033, USA.,The Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Vicente de la Cruz MDLM, Giesen C, Díaz-Menéndez M. International travels and transmission of multidrug resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Europe: A systematic review. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 49:102401. [PMID: 35850441 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102401] [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: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increase of gonococcal infection cases in Europe and rises in Neisseria gonorrhoeae antibiotic resistance (AMR) have become an urgent concern globally. In the last few years international tourism has increased, which might contribute to the spread of different strains of multiresistant gonococcal infections. This study aimed at assessing the effect of international travel on the transmission of multidrug resistant N. gonorrhoeae in the European Union and associated European countries. METHOD We conducted a systematic review and searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase and CENTRAL between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2021 for gonococcal infection, antibiotic resistance and international travel. Articles were screened in title, abstract and keywords. The quality of the articles was assessed using a pre-designed tool. Individual, travel related and susceptibility to antimicrobials data were collected. RESULTS A total of 18 studies met our criteria, of which 88.9% concluded that international travel directly influences the transmission of multidrug resistant N. gonorrhoeae from the country of travel to the country of return. Travelers mainly visited South East Asian countries (66.7%) and returned to the UK (38.9%). Half of the included studies reported ciprofloxacin resistant strains and the most frequently prescribed drug used for treatment was ceftriaxone. CONCLUSIONS International travels might be an important factor in the spread of multi-resistant sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There is a need to strengthen AMR surveillance in international travelers for prompt investigation and notification of drug resistance in STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christine Giesen
- Preventive Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitario Infanta Sofía, San Sebastián de los Reyes (Madrid), Spain.
| | - Marta Díaz-Menéndez
- National Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases. Hospital Universitario La Paz-Carlos III, Madrid, Spain, CIBERINFEC
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Pleininger S, Indra A, Golparian D, Heger F, Schindler S, Jacobsson S, Heidler S, Unemo M. Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Neisseria gonorrhoeae causing possible gonorrhoea treatment failure with ceftriaxone plus azithromycin in Austria, April 2022. EURO SURVEILLANCE : BULLETIN EUROPEEN SUR LES MALADIES TRANSMISSIBLES = EUROPEAN COMMUNICABLE DISEASE BULLETIN 2022; 27. [PMID: 35713023 PMCID: PMC9205165 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.24.2200455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We describe a gonorrhoea case with ceftriaxone plus high-level azithromycin resistance. In April 2022, an Austrian heterosexual male was diagnosed with gonorrhoea after sexual intercourse with a female sex worker in Cambodia. Recommended treatment with ceftriaxone (1 g) plus azithromycin (1.5 g) possibly failed. Worryingly, this is the second strain in an Asian Neisseria gonorrhoeae genomic sublineage including high-level azithromycin-resistant strains that developed ceftriaxone resistance by acquisition of mosaic penA-60.001. Enhanced resistance surveillance and actions are imperative to prevent spread.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Florian Heger
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Susanne Jacobsson
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | | | - Magnus Unemo
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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