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Stejskal L, Thistlethwaite A, Ramirez-Bencomo F, Rashmi S, Harrison O, Feavers IM, Maiden MCJ, Jerse A, Barnes G, Chirro O, Chemweno J, Nduati E, Cehovin A, Tang C, Sanders EJ, Derrick JP. Profiling IgG and IgA antibody responses during vaccination and infection in a high-risk gonorrhoea population. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6712. [PMID: 39112489 PMCID: PMC11306574 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51053-x] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Development of a vaccine against gonorrhoea is a global priority, driven by the rise in antibiotic resistance. Although Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) infection does not induce substantial protective immunity, highly exposed individuals may develop immunity against re-infection with the same strain. Retrospective epidemiological studies have shown that vaccines containing Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) provide a degree of cross-protection against Ng infection. We conducted a clinical trial (NCT04297436) of 4CMenB (Bexsero, GSK), a licensed Nm vaccine containing OMVs and recombinant antigens, comprising a single arm, open label study of two doses with 50 adults in coastal Kenya who have high exposure to Ng. Data from a Ng antigen microarray established that serum IgG and IgA reactivities against the gonococcal homologs of the recombinant antigens in the vaccine peaked at 10 but had declined by 24 weeks. For most reactive OMV-derived antigens, the reverse was the case. A cohort of similar individuals with laboratory-confirmed gonococcal infection were compared before, during, and after infection: their reactivities were weaker and differed from the vaccinated cohort. We conclude that the cross-protection of the 4CMenB vaccine against gonorrhoea could be explained by cross-reaction against a diverse selection of antigens derived from the OMV component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Stejskal
- School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Angela Thistlethwaite
- School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Fidel Ramirez-Bencomo
- School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Smruti Rashmi
- School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Odile Harrison
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Ian M Feavers
- Department of Biology, 11a Mansfield Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Martin C J Maiden
- Department of Biology, 11a Mansfield Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Ann Jerse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Grace Barnes
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Oscar Chirro
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Eunice Nduati
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Ana Cehovin
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Christoph Tang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK.
| | | | - Jeremy P Derrick
- School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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2
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Lyu Y, Choong A, Chow EPF, Seib KL, Marshall HS, Unemo M, de Voux A, Wang B, Miranda AE, Gottlieb SL, Mello MB, Wi T, Baggaley R, Marshall C, Abu-Raddad LJ, Abara WE, Chen XS, Ong JJ. Vaccine value profile for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Vaccine 2024; 42:S42-S69. [PMID: 38123397 PMCID: PMC11169088 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.01.053] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection (gonorrhoea) is a global public health challenge, causing substantial sexual and reproductive health consequences, such as infertility, pregnancy complications and increased acquisition or transmission of HIV. There is an urgency to controlling gonorrhoea because of increasing antimicrobial resistance to ceftriaxone, the last remaining treatment option, and the potential for gonorrhoea to become untreatable. No licensed gonococcal vaccine is available. Mounting observational evidence suggests that N. meningitidis serogroup B outer membrane vesicle-based vaccines may induce cross-protection against N. gonorrhoeae (estimated 30%-40% effectiveness using the 4CMenB vaccine). Clinical trials to determine the efficacy of the 4CMenB vaccine against N. gonorrhoeae are underway, as are Phase 1/2 studies of a new gonococcal-specific vaccine candidate. Ultimately, a gonococcal vaccine must be accessible, affordable and equitably dispensed, given that those most affected by gonorrhoea are also those who may be most disadvantaged in our societies, and most cases are in less-resourced settings. This vaccine value profile (VVP) provides a high level, holistic assessment of the current data to inform the potential public health, economic and societal value of pipeline vaccines. This was developed by a working group of subject matter experts from academia, non-profit organizations, public private partnerships and multi-lateral organizations. All contributors have extensive expertise on various elements of the N. gonorrhoeae VVP and collectively aimed to identify current research and knowledge gaps. The VVP was developed using published data obtained from peer-reviewed journals or reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Lyu
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Annabelle Choong
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, 580 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3053, Australia; Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3053, Australia.
| | - Kate L Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4222, Australia.
| | - Helen S Marshall
- The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia; Women's and Children's Health Network, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO CC for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK.
| | - Alex de Voux
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
| | - Bing Wang
- The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia; Women's and Children's Health Network, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Angelica E Miranda
- Department of Social Medicine, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 514 - Goiabeiras, Vitória - ES 29075-910, Brazil.
| | - Sami L Gottlieb
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Av. Appia 20, 1211 Genève, Switzerland.
| | - Maeve B Mello
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Av. Appia 20, 1211 Genève, Switzerland.
| | - Teodora Wi
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Av. Appia 20, 1211 Genève, Switzerland.
| | - Rachel Baggaley
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Av. Appia 20, 1211 Genève, Switzerland.
| | - Caroline Marshall
- Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization, Av. Appia 20, 1211 Genève, Switzerland.
| | - Laith J Abu-Raddad
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Box 24144, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Winston E Abara
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
| | - Xiang-Sheng Chen
- National Center for STD Control of China CDC, 12 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing 210042, China.
| | - Jason J Ong
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
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Bryan ER, McRae J, Kumar V, Trim LK, Maidment TI, Tickner JAD, Sweeney EL, Williams ED, Whiley DM, Beagley KW. A novel murine model mimicking male genital Neisseria species infection using Neisseria musculi†. Biol Reprod 2024:ioae100. [PMID: 38972067 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae100] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
With ~78 million cases yearly, the sexually transmitted bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent threat to global public health due to continued emergence of antimicrobial resistance. In the male reproductive tract, untreated infections may cause permanent damage, poor sperm quality, and subsequently subfertility. Currently, few animal models exist for N. gonorrhoeae infection, which has strict human tropism, and available models have limited translatability to human disease. The absence of appropriate models inhibits the development of vital new diagnostics and treatments. However, the discovery of Neisseria musculi, a mouse oral cavity bacterium, offers much promise. This bacterium has already been used to develop an oral Neisseria infection model, but the feasibility of establishing urogenital gonococcal models is unexplored. We inoculated mice via the intrapenile route with N. musculi. We assessed bacterial burden throughout the male reproductive tract, the systemic and tissue-specific immune response 2-weeks postinfection, and the effect of infection on sperm health. Neisseria musculi was found in penis (2/5) and vas deferens (3/5) tissues. Infection altered immune cell counts: CD19+ (spleen, lymph node, penis), F4/80+ (spleen, lymph node, epididymus), and Gr1+ (penis) compared with noninfected mice. This culminated in sperm from infected mice having poor viability, motility, and morphology. We hypothesize that in the absence of testis infection, infection and inflammation in other reproductive is sufficient to damage sperm quality. Many results herein are consistent with outcomes of gonorrhoea infection, indicating the potential of this model as a tool for enhancing the understanding of Neisseria infections of the human male reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Bryan
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Science, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Julia McRae
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Science, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
| | - Vishnu Kumar
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, 35385 Giessen, Germany
| | - Logan K Trim
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Science, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
| | - Toby I Maidment
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Science, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Jacob A D Tickner
- Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Emma L Sweeney
- Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Elizabeth D Williams
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Science at Translational Research Institute, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - David M Whiley
- Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Science, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
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Williams AM, Gromov D, Spicknall IH, Romero-Severson EO. Vaccination May Be Economically and Epidemiologically Advantageous Over Frequent Screening for Gonorrhea Prevention. Sex Transm Dis 2024; 51:381-387. [PMID: 38403294 PMCID: PMC11088522 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001957] [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: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gonorrhea's rapid development of antimicrobial resistance underscores the importance of new prevention modalities. Recent evidence suggests that a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine may be partially effective against gonococcal infection. However, the viability of vaccination and the role it should play in gonorrhea prevention are an open question. METHODS We modeled the transmission of gonorrhea over a 10-year period in a heterosexual population to find optimal patterns of year-over-year investment of a fixed budget in vaccination and screening programs. Each year, resources could be allocated to vaccinating people or enrolling them in a quarterly screening program. Stratifying by mode (vaccination vs. screening), sex (male vs. female), and enrollment venue (background screening vs. symptomatic visit), we consider 8 different ways of controlling gonorrhea. We then found the year-over-year pattern of investment among those 8 controls that most reduced the incidence of gonorrhea under different assumptions. A compartmental transmission model was parameterized from existing literature in the US context. RESULTS Vaccinating men with recent symptomatic infection, which selected for higher sexual activity, was optimal for population-level gonorrhea control. Given a prevention budget of $3 per capita, 9.5% of infections could be averted ($299 per infection averted), decreasing gonorrhea sequelae and associated antimicrobial use by similar percentages. These results were consistent across sensitivity analyses that increased the budget, prioritized incidence or prevalence reductions in women, or lowered screening costs. Under a scenario where only screening was implemented, just 5.5% of infections were averted. CONCLUSIONS A currently available vaccine, although only modestly effective, may be superior to frequent testing for population-level gonorrhea control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin M. Williams
- Division of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dmitry Gromov
- Department of Mathematics, University of Latvia, Rīga, Latvia
| | - Ian H. Spicknall
- Division of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ethan O. Romero-Severson
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos NM, USA
- Epidemiology and Response Division, New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe, NM, USA
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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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King AJ, Bilardi JE, Maddaford K, Fairley CK, Chow EP, Phillips TR. Sexual health clinic attendees' views on antibiotic post-exposure prophylaxis and vaccinations for sexually transmitted infections prevention: A qualitative study. Prev Med Rep 2024; 38:102628. [PMID: 38375181 PMCID: PMC10874840 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102628] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The rising prevalence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is cause for concern in the context of antimicrobial resistance and the potential health outcomes of untreated infections. Objective The Community Awareness and Surveillance of Transmission (CAST) study sought sexual health service users' views on reducing the prevalence of STIs. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sexual health clinic attendees who had received a diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis in the previous six months. Participant comments relating to antibiotic post-exposure prophylaxis (APEP) and vaccination were inductively coded, then compared using comparative qualitative data analysis methods described by Miles and Huberman. Findings Twenty-one participants with differing genders, ages, nationalities and sexual orientations, were interviewed. Participants across informant groups expressed concerns about APEP for STI prevention because of potential antimicrobial resistance and personal health impacts. Vaccination against bacterial STIs was more acceptable. Common factors mentioned in relation to both interventions included perception of individual STI risk over time, safety, effectiveness and accessibility. Conclusions The views of sexual health service users support efforts to find alternatives to more frequent use of antibiotics, such as vaccinations against bacterial STIs, to reduce STI incidence and support antimicrobial stewardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia J. King
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jade E. Bilardi
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate Maddaford
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K. Fairley
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric P.F. Chow
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tiffany R. Phillips
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Bishi MA, Kaur P, Vyas M, Sharma S. Ameliorating Gonorrhea: Recent Therapeutic Adaptations and Scope to Improve its Prevailing Condition. Infect Disord Drug Targets 2024; 24:e180124225807. [PMID: 38243969 DOI: 10.2174/0118715265258305231124105334] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. According to recent research, the prevalence of gonorrhea has been increasing in many parts of the world, with some areas reporting high rates of antibiotic resistance. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the number of reported gonorrhea cases increased by 56% between 2015 and 2019. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there were 87 million new cases of gonorrhea in 2016, with the highest burden of infection in low- and middle-income countries. Research has also shown that gonorrhea is becoming increasingly resistant to conventional antibiotics, increasing the prevalence of gonorrhea. This raises concerns and challenges in disease management. OBJECTIVES The present review gives updated insight on the current state of the disease, challenges, and shortcomings of existing approaches along with the modern and alternative direction like vaccine development, its challenges, and scope to confront the existing state of drug resistance and increased rate of incidence. Alternative strategies like immunotherapy and phage therapy along with recent antibiotics researched for the treatment of gonorrhea. CONCLUSION The review provides a thorough insight into the current state of the disease and various available methods used currently and recommended by WHO. To overcome disease prevalence, various alternate therapies are coming into the limelight. However, scientists and researchers show a lack of interest in the drug development and research of gonorrhea, due to less commercial scope, lack of funding, and limited scope in the scientific scenario. These hurdles need to be overcome to meet the WHO vision of reducing gonorrhea by 90% by 2030. So, there is a need to optimize the drug therapy (optimizing dosing schedule, and precision monitoring) to reduce the chance of drug resistance. Also, there is a wide scope for drug and therapeutic system development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munyaradzi Amon Bishi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144401, India
| | - Palwinder Kaur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144401, India
| | - Manish Vyas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144401, India
| | - Sandeep Sharma
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144401, India
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Saldaña F, Steindorf V, Srivastav AK, Stollenwerk N, Aguiar M. Optimal vaccine allocation for the control of sexually transmitted infections. J Math Biol 2023; 86:75. [PMID: 37058156 PMCID: PMC10103681 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-023-01910-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) poses a challenge due to its large negative impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide. Besides simple prevention measures and available treatment efforts, prophylactic vaccination is a powerful tool for controlling some viral STIs and their associated diseases. Here, we investigate how prophylactic vaccines are best distributed to prevent and control STIs. We consider sex-specific differences in susceptibility to infection, as well as disease severity outcomes. Different vaccination strategies are compared assuming distinct budget constraints that mimic a scarce vaccine stockpile. Vaccination strategies are obtained as solutions to an optimal control problem subject to a two-sex Kermack-McKendrick-type model, where the control variables are the daily vaccination rates for females and males. One important aspect of our approach relies on conceptualizing a limited but specific vaccine stockpile via an isoperimetric constraint. We solve the optimal control problem via Pontryagin's Maximum Principle and obtain a numerical approximation for the solution using a modified version of the forward-backward sweep method that handles the isoperimetric budget constraint in our formulation. The results suggest that for a limited vaccine supply ([Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] vaccination coverage), one-sex vaccination, prioritizing females, appears to be more beneficial than the inclusion of both sexes into the vaccination program. Whereas, if the vaccine supply is relatively large (enough to reach at least [Formula: see text] coverage), vaccinating both sexes, with a slightly higher rate for females, is optimal and provides an effective and faster approach to reducing the prevalence of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Saldaña
- BCAM- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Basque Country, Spain.
| | | | | | - Nico Stollenwerk
- BCAM- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Basque Country, Spain
- Dipartimento di Matematica, Universita̧ degli Studi di Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Maíra Aguiar
- BCAM- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Basque Country, Spain
- Dipartimento di Matematica, Universita̧ degli Studi di Trento, Povo, Italy
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Basque Country, Spain
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Yusuf H, Trent M. Management of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in Clinical Practice. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2023; 19:183-192. [PMID: 36814428 PMCID: PMC9939802 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s350750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common reproductive health disorder among women of reproductive age. The treatment of PID has slowly evolved, reflecting changing antibiotic susceptibility and advancements in therapeutics and research; however, it has been largely unchanged over the last several decades. The most recent treatment recommendations consider the severity of infection, clinical presentation, and the polymicrobial nature of the disease. In addition, the role of novel organisms like Mycoplasma genitalium in PID is of emerging significance. PID treatment guidance offers oral and parenteral treatment options based on the patient's clinical status; however, deviations from the published guidelines are a general concern. Point of care (POC) testing for precision care, provision of adherence support, optimizing self-management and prevention strategies, and other alternative or synergistic approaches that maximize treatment outcomes will be instrumental for addressing the current challenges in PID diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasiya Yusuf
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maria Trent
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA,Correspondence: Maria Trent, Bloomberg Professor of American Health and Pediatrics, Departments of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health Sciences and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, 200 N. Wolfe Street #2056, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA, Tel +1 443-287-8945, Fax +1 410-502-5440, Email
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Looker KJ, Booton R, Begum N, Beck E, Shen J, Turner KME, Christensen H. The potential public health impact of adolescent 4CMenB vaccination on Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in England: a modelling study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1. [PMID: 36624437 PMCID: PMC9829524 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14670-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diagnoses of gonorrhoea in England rose by 26% between 2018 and 2019. Recent evidence that a vaccine against meningococcal B disease currently offered to infants in the UK (4CMenB) could additionally protect (with 31% efficacy) against gonorrhoea has led to renewed hope for a vaccine. A Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial of 4CMenB vaccination against gonorrhoea in adults is currently underway. OBJECTIVES To investigate the potential public health impact of adolescent gonorrhoea vaccination in England, considering different implementation strategies. METHODS We developed a deterministic transmission-dynamic model of gonorrhoea infection among heterosexual 13-64-year-olds stratified by age, sex and sexual activity. We explored the impact of a National Immunisation Programme (NIP) among 14-year-olds for a vaccine with 31% efficacy, 6 years' duration of protection, and 85% uptake. We also explored how impact might change for varying efficacy (20-50%) and uptake (75-95%), the addition of a catch-up programme, the use of boosters, and varying duration of protection. RESULTS An NIP against gonorrhoea could lead to 50,000 (95% credible interval, CrI 31,000-80,000) and 849,000 (95%CrI 476,000-1,568,000) gonorrhoea infections being averted over 10 and 70 years, respectively, in England, for a vaccine with 31% efficacy and 85% uptake. This is equivalent to 25% (95%CrI 17-33%) of heterosexual infections being averted over 70 years. Vaccine impact is predicted to increase over time and be greatest among 13-18-year-olds (39% of infections 95%CrI 31-49% averted) over 70 years. Varying vaccine efficacy and duration of protection had a noticeable effect on impact. Catch-up and booster vaccination increased the short- and long-term impact, respectively. CONCLUSIONS A partially-effective vaccine against gonorrhoea infection, delivered to 14-year-olds alongside the MenACWY vaccine, could have an important population impact on gonorrhoea. Catch-up and booster vaccination could be considered alongside cohort vaccination to increase impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine J. Looker
- grid.5337.20000 0004 1936 7603Research Fellow in Mathematical Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN UK
| | - Ross Booton
- grid.5337.20000 0004 1936 7603Senior Research Associate in Mathematical Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS40 5DU UK
| | - Najida Begum
- grid.425090.a0000 0004 0468 9597Freelance Consultant c/o GSK, Wavre, Belgium 1300
| | - Ekkehard Beck
- grid.425090.a0000 0004 0468 9597Senior Director, Value Evidence and Outcomes, GSK, Wavre, Belgium 1300
| | - Jing Shen
- grid.425090.a0000 0004 0468 9597Senior Manager, Health Economics, GSK, Wavre, Belgium 1300
| | - Katherine M. E. Turner
- grid.5337.20000 0004 1936 7603Reader in Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS40 5DU UK
| | - Hannah Christensen
- grid.5337.20000 0004 1936 7603Senior Lecturer in Infectious Disease Mathematical Modelling, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN UK
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11
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Carey KA, Newman LM, Spicknall IH. Estimating the population level impact of a gonococcal vaccine candidate: Predictions from a simple mathematical model. Vaccine 2022; 40:7176-7181. [PMID: 36333224 PMCID: PMC11261575 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neisseria gonorrhoeae cross-protection was suggested in a New Zealand meningitis B vaccine. We modeled the potential impact of similar vaccines on gonorrhea prevalence in heterosexuals in the United States. METHODS Our mathematical model incorporated infection, behavior, and vaccination dynamics. Approximate Bayesian Computation calibrated our model to US prevalence. Primary analyses assumed New Zealand vaccine characteristics: 30% efficacy and 2-year duration of protection. We estimated impact under two vaccine coverages (20%, 50%). RESULTS Reduction in gonorrhea prevalence ranged from 4.8 to 39.4%, depending on vaccine coverage. Vaccine impact was correlated with both size of the highly sexually active subpopulation and sexual mixing between high and low activity subpopulations. CONCLUSIONS A meningitis vaccine providing low efficacy cross-protection against gonorrhea acquisition and short duration of protection could result in a large reduction in gonorrhea prevalence in the United States. Potential dual protective effects can be considered when making vaccine recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Carey
- Office of Data Science and Emerging Technologies, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Lori M Newman
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Ian H Spicknall
- Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STDs, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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12
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La Fauci V, Lo Giudice D, Squeri R, Genovese C. Insight into Prevention of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae: A Short Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1949. [PMID: 36423044 PMCID: PMC9692366 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus) and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) are important global pathogens which cause the sexually transmitted diseases gonorrhea and meningitis, respectively, as well as sepsis. We prepared a review according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA), with the aims of (a) evaluating the data on the MenB vaccination as protection against sexually transmitted infections by N. gonorrhoeae and (b) to briefly comment on the data of ongoing studies of new vaccines. We evaluated existing evidence on the effect of 4CMenB, a multi-component vaccine, on invasive diseases caused by different meningococcal serogroups and on gonorrhea. Non-B meningococcal serogroups showed that the 4CMenB vaccine could potentially offer some level of protection against non-B meningococcal serogroups and N. gonorrhoeae. The assessment of the potential protection conferred by 4CMenB is further challenged by the fact that further studies are still needed to fully understand natural immune responses against gonococcal infections. A further limitation could be the potential differences between the protection mechanisms against N. gonorrhoeae, which causes local infections, and the protection mechanisms against N. meningitidis, which causes systemic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenza La Fauci
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
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13
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Sadoghi B, Kränke B, Komericki P, Hutterer G. Sexually transmitted pathogens causing urethritis: A mini-review and proposal of a clinically based diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:931765. [PMID: 36091700 PMCID: PMC9459106 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.931765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this mini-review was to provide the latest information and concepts on diagnosis and treatment of the most common sexually transmitted pathogens causing urethritis. The incidence of several sexually transmitted infections that cause urethritis is increasing, and this genitourinary syndrome is among the most common reason young men see clinical care. The authors performed a literature search including the currently valid guidelines, and an overview of the most relevant pathogens is given. Moreover, the authors developed a clinically applicable diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm, because early diagnosis and correct treatment can sometimes prevent infected individuals from significant morbidity. Future research will focus on new methods to combat pathogens that cause urethritis, including vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Sadoghi
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Birger Kränke
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter Komericki
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Georg Hutterer
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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14
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Chow EPF, Phillips TR, Tran J, Aung ET, Maddaford K, Fairley CK. A cross-sectional study of male and female kissing partners among men who have sex with men. Sex Health 2022; 19:27-32. [PMID: 35241217 DOI: 10.1071/sh21184] [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: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kissing may be a risk factor for gonorrhoea. Past studies have focused on male kissing partners among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aimed to examine the kissing practices of MSM who kiss male and female partners. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) between March and April 2019. Men attending the MSHC, aged ≥16years who reported any sexual contact with another man in the previous 12months were invited to participate in the survey. Data about the number of kissing-only (kissing without sex), kissing-with-sex, and sex-only (having sex without kissing) partners in the previous 3months were collected. Men were asked to report the number of male and female partners separately. RESULTS There were 357 MSM included in the survey. Most men (97.2%, n=347) had kissed or had sex with another man, whereas 16.0% (n=57) had kissed or had sex with a female partner in the previous 3months. Of the 57 men, 26.3% (n=15) had only kissed a female partner without having sex. The mean number of male partners for kissing-only was 5.5 (s.d.=6.6), kissing-with-sex was 5.0 (s.d.=6.6) and sex-only was 3.9 (s.d.=4.3). The mean number of female partners for kissing-only was 4.2 (s.d.=6.9), kissing-with-sex was 3.8 (s.d.=4.9) and sex-only was 3.2 (s.d.=3.4). CONCLUSION MSM not only kiss men in the absence of sex, but also kiss women in the absence of sex. Gonorrhoea could be transmitted between MSM and women via kissing in the absence of sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P F Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia; and Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia; and Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia
| | - Tiffany R Phillips
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia; and Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia
| | - Julien Tran
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia; and Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia
| | - Ei T Aung
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia; and Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia
| | - Kate Maddaford
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia; and Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia
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15
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Lucidarme J, Bai X, Lekshmi A, Clark SA, Willerton L, Ribeiro S, Campbell H, Serino L, De Paola R, Holland A, Louth J, Ramsay ME, Ladhani SN, Borrow R. Invasive serogroup B meningococci in England following three years of 4CMenB vaccination - First real-world data. J Infect 2021; 84:136-144. [PMID: 34838814 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In 2015 the UK became the first country to implement the meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine, 4CMenB, into the national infant program. 4CMenB is expected to cover meningococci expressing sufficient levels of cross-reactive proteins. This study presents clonal complex, 4CMenB antigen genotyping, and 4CMenB coverage data for all English invasive MenB isolates from 2014/15 (1 year pre-vaccine) through 2017/18 and compares data from vaccinated and unvaccinated ≤3 year olds. METHODS Vaccine coverage of all invasive MenB isolates from 2014/15 to 2017/18 (n = 784) was analysed using the Meningococcal Antigen Typing System. Genotyping utilised the Meningococcus Genome Library. RESULTS Among ≤3 year olds, proportionally fewer cases in vaccinees (1, 2 or 3 doses) were associated with well-covered strains e.g. cc41/44 (20.5% versus 36.4%; P<0.01) and antigens e.g. PorA P1.4 (7.2% versus 17.3%; P = 0.02) or fHbp variant 1 peptides (44.6% vs 69.1%; P<0.01). Conversely, proportionally more cases in vaccinees were associated with poorly-covered strains e.g. cc213 (22.9% versus 9.6%; P<0.01) and antigens e.g. variant 2 or 3 fHbp peptides (54.2% versus 30.9%; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS 4CMenB reduces disease due to strains with cross-reactive antigen variants. No increase in absolute numbers of cases due to poorly covered strains was observed in the study period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Lucidarme
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Floor 2 Clinical Sciences Building 2, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom.
| | - Xilian Bai
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Floor 2 Clinical Sciences Building 2, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Aiswarya Lekshmi
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Floor 2 Clinical Sciences Building 2, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen A Clark
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Floor 2 Clinical Sciences Building 2, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Willerton
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Floor 2 Clinical Sciences Building 2, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Sonia Ribeiro
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, London, NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Campbell
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, London, NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Serino
- GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, via Fiorentina 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Rosita De Paola
- GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, via Fiorentina 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Ann Holland
- Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Public Health England, Floor 2 Clinical Sciences Building 2, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Louth
- Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Public Health England, Floor 2 Clinical Sciences Building 2, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Mary E Ramsay
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, London, NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom
| | - Shamez N Ladhani
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, London, NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom; Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Floor 2 Clinical Sciences Building 2, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom; Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Public Health England, Floor 2 Clinical Sciences Building 2, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
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16
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Plotnikoff KM, Donken R, Smith L, Cameron C, LaMontagne DS, Bettinger JA, Sadarangani M, Grennan T, Racey CS, Hybiske K, Naus M, Monteiro A, Ogilvie GS. Priorities for sexually transmitted infection vaccine research and development: Results from a survey of global leaders and representatives. Vaccine X 2021; 8:100107. [PMID: 34401741 PMCID: PMC8356130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2021.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the sexually transmitted infection (STI) vaccine research priorities of global leaders in STI vaccine research, development, and service provision. METHODS Global representatives attending the STI Vaccines: Opportunities for Research, Development, and Implementation symposium preceding the STI & HIV World Congress in 2019 were invited to complete an electronic survey. We asked participants to rank items by importance/priority for STI vaccine development for the following areas of focus: specific STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, and trichomoniasis), broad research domains (basic science, funding, communication, program planning, and vaccine hesitancy), and specific research activities related to these domains. We calculated weighted value scores based on the ranking (e.g., first, second, third) and the total number of responses in order to produce a ranked list of the priorities. RESULTS A total of 46 out of 97 (44%) symposium attendees responded to the survey. Gonorrhea was identified as the STI that should be prioritized for vaccine development, followed by syphilis with weighted value scores of 3.82 and 3.37, respectively, out of a maximum of five. Basic science (and vaccine development) was the domain ranked with the highest priority with a weighted value score of 4.78 out of six. Research activities related to basic science and vaccine development (including pre-clinical and clinical trials, and surveillance measures) and increased funding opportunities were the most highly ranked activities in the "STI vaccine development" and "research domains and activities" categories. CONCLUSION Global leaders in attendance at the STI Vaccines symposium prioritized continued scientific work in vaccine development and program planning. Gonorrhea was identified as the highest priority infection, followed by syphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara M. Plotnikoff
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Robine Donken
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Laurie Smith
- Women’s Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Caroline Cameron
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - D. Scott LaMontagne
- PATH, Center for Vaccine Innovation & Access, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Julie A. Bettinger
- Women’s Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Manish Sadarangani
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Troy Grennan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - C. Sarai Racey
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kevin Hybiske
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Monika Naus
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amanda Monteiro
- Women’s Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Gina S. Ogilvie
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Haese EC, Thai VC, Kahler CM. Vaccine Candidates for the Control and Prevention of the Sexually Transmitted Disease Gonorrhea. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070804. [PMID: 34358218 PMCID: PMC8310131 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) has placed N. gonorrhoeae on the global priority list of antimicrobial resistant pathogens and is urgently seeking the development of new intervention strategies. N. gonorrhoeae causes 86.9 million cases globally per annum. The effects of gonococcal disease are seen predominantly in women and children and especially in the Australian Indigenous community. While economic modelling suggests that this infection alone may directly cost the USA health care system USD 11.0–20.6 billion, indirect costs associated with adverse disease and pregnancy outcomes, disease prevention, and productivity loss, mean that the overall effect of the disease is far greater still. In this review, we summate the current progress towards the development of a gonorrhea vaccine and describe the clinical trials being undertaken in Australia to assess the efficacy of the current formulation of Bexsero® in controlling disease.
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18
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Whelan J, Eeuwijk J, Bunge E, Beck E. Systematic Literature Review and Quantitative Analysis of Health Problems Associated with Sexually Transmitted Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection. Infect Dis Ther 2021; 10:1887-1905. [PMID: 34279817 PMCID: PMC8572915 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-021-00481-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) is the second most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection (STI), leading to serious health problems in men, women and newborns. While early antibiotic treatment is effective, infections are increasingly antibiotic-resistant. No systematic reviews present health problems associated with Ng infections or their likelihood of occurrence. The objective, therefore, was to conduct a systematic literature review to address these gaps. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted of all studies with an English abstract published since 1950 (Pubmed)/1966 (Embase). The search included patients with a history of/current sexually transmitted Ng infection. Expected outcomes were defined from published reviews of gonorrhoea health problems. Observational studies with a control group were included. A decision tree determined the best quality studies for each outcome, prioritising generalisable populations, laboratory-confirmed diagnosis, clearly defined outcomes, no STI co-infections, adjusted analyses and risk estimates. Where feasible, a meta-analysis was performed; otherwise, the best quality study estimates were identified. Findings In total, 46 studies were included, and 22 health problems were identified. Of these problems, Ng infection was statistically significantly associated with preterm premature ruptures of membranes, preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, infant death, neonatal ophthalmia, schizophrenia in offspring, pelvic inflammatory disease and subsequent tubal infertility, human immunodeficiency virus and prostate cancer/problems. High-quality evidence was generally lacking, with high heterogeneity across studies, and limited or inconclusive data on other health problems. Conclusion Ng infection is associated with severe health problems in women, men and newborns. More high-quality comparative studies are needed to address the limitations in current knowledge. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40121-021-00481-z.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Eeuwijk
- Pallas Health Research and Consultancy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eveline Bunge
- Pallas Health Research and Consultancy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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19
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Lim KYL, Mullally CA, Haese EC, Kibble EA, McCluskey NR, Mikucki EC, Thai VC, Stubbs KA, Sarkar-Tyson M, Kahler CM. Anti-Virulence Therapeutic Approaches for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10020103. [PMID: 33494538 PMCID: PMC7911339 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10020103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
While antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is seen in both Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis, the former has become resistant to commonly available over-the-counter antibiotic treatments. It is imperative then to develop new therapies that combat current AMR isolates whilst also circumventing the pathways leading to the development of AMR. This review highlights the growing research interest in developing anti-virulence therapies (AVTs) which are directed towards inhibiting virulence factors to prevent infection. By targeting virulence factors that are not essential for gonococcal survival, it is hypothesized that this will impart a smaller selective pressure for the emergence of resistance in the pathogen and in the microbiome, thus avoiding AMR development to the anti-infective. This review summates the current basis of numerous anti-virulence strategies being explored for N. gonorrhoeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Y. L. Lim
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Christopher A. Mullally
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Ethan C. Haese
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Emily A. Kibble
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Nicolie R. McCluskey
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Edward C. Mikucki
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Van C. Thai
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Keith A. Stubbs
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Mitali Sarkar-Tyson
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Charlene M. Kahler
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
- Correspondence:
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20
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The serogroup B meningococcal outer membrane vesicle-based vaccine 4CMenB induces cross-species protection against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008602. [PMID: 33290434 PMCID: PMC7748408 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a pressing need for a gonorrhea vaccine due to the high disease burden associated with gonococcal infections globally and the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng). Current gonorrhea vaccine research is in the stages of antigen discovery and the identification of protective immune responses, and no vaccine has been tested in clinical trials in over 30 years. Recently, however, it was reported in a retrospective case-control study that vaccination of humans with a serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine (MeNZB) was associated with reduced rates of gonorrhea. Here we directly tested the hypothesis that Nm OMVs induce cross-protection against gonorrhea in a well-characterized female mouse model of Ng genital tract infection. We found that immunization with the licensed Nm OMV-based vaccine 4CMenB (Bexsero) significantly accelerated clearance and reduced the Ng bacterial burden compared to administration of alum or PBS. Serum IgG and vaginal IgA and IgG that cross-reacted with Ng OMVs were induced by 4CMenB vaccination by either the subcutaneous or intraperitoneal routes. Antibodies from vaccinated mice recognized several Ng surface proteins, including PilQ, BamA, MtrE, NHBA (known to be recognized by humans), PorB, and Opa. Immune sera from both mice and humans recognized Ng PilQ and several proteins of similar apparent molecular weight, but MtrE was only recognized by mouse serum. Pooled sera from 4CMenB-immunized mice showed a 4-fold increase in serum bactericidal50 titers against the challenge strain; in contrast, no significant difference in bactericidal activity was detected when sera from 4CMenB-immunized and unimmunized subjects were compared. Our findings directly support epidemiological evidence that Nm OMVs confer cross-species protection against gonorrhea, and implicate several Ng surface antigens as potentially protective targets. Additionally, this study further defines the usefulness of murine infection model as a relevant experimental system for gonorrhea vaccine development.
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21
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Makhoul M, Ayoub HH, Chemaitelly H, Seedat S, Mumtaz GR, Al-Omari S, Abu-Raddad LJ. Epidemiological Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: Mathematical Modeling Analyses. Vaccines (Basel) 2020. [PMID: 33182403 DOI: 10.1101/2020.04.19.20070805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aims to inform SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development/licensure/decision-making/implementation, using mathematical modeling, by determining key preferred vaccine product characteristics and associated population-level impacts of a vaccine eliciting long-term protection. A prophylactic vaccine with efficacy against acquisition (VES) ≥70% can eliminate the infection. A vaccine with VES <70% may still control the infection if it reduces infectiousness or infection duration among those vaccinated who acquire the infection, if it is supplemented with <20% reduction in contact rate, or if it is complemented with herd-immunity. At VES of 50%, the number of vaccinated persons needed to avert one infection is 2.4, and the number is 25.5 to avert one severe disease case, 33.2 to avert one critical disease case, and 65.1 to avert one death. The probability of a major outbreak is zero at VES ≥70% regardless of the number of virus introductions. However, an increase in social contact rate among those vaccinated (behavior compensation) can undermine vaccine impact. In addition to the reduction in infection acquisition, developers should assess the natural history and disease progression outcomes when evaluating vaccine impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monia Makhoul
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Houssein H Ayoub
- Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Hiam Chemaitelly
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
| | - Shaheen Seedat
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Ghina R Mumtaz
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut 11-0236, Lebanon
| | - Sarah Al-Omari
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut 11-0236, Lebanon
| | - Laith J Abu-Raddad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10022, USA
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22
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Makhoul M, Ayoub HH, Chemaitelly H, Seedat S, Mumtaz GR, Al-Omari S, Abu-Raddad LJ. Epidemiological Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: Mathematical Modeling Analyses. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E668. [PMID: 33182403 PMCID: PMC7712303 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to inform SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development/licensure/decision-making/implementation, using mathematical modeling, by determining key preferred vaccine product characteristics and associated population-level impacts of a vaccine eliciting long-term protection. A prophylactic vaccine with efficacy against acquisition (VES) ≥70% can eliminate the infection. A vaccine with VES <70% may still control the infection if it reduces infectiousness or infection duration among those vaccinated who acquire the infection, if it is supplemented with <20% reduction in contact rate, or if it is complemented with herd-immunity. At VES of 50%, the number of vaccinated persons needed to avert one infection is 2.4, and the number is 25.5 to avert one severe disease case, 33.2 to avert one critical disease case, and 65.1 to avert one death. The probability of a major outbreak is zero at VES ≥70% regardless of the number of virus introductions. However, an increase in social contact rate among those vaccinated (behavior compensation) can undermine vaccine impact. In addition to the reduction in infection acquisition, developers should assess the natural history and disease progression outcomes when evaluating vaccine impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monia Makhoul
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation—Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar; (M.M.); (H.C.); (S.S.)
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation—Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Houssein H. Ayoub
- Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar;
| | - Hiam Chemaitelly
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation—Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar; (M.M.); (H.C.); (S.S.)
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation—Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
| | - Shaheen Seedat
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation—Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar; (M.M.); (H.C.); (S.S.)
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation—Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Ghina R. Mumtaz
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut 11-0236, Lebanon; (G.R.M.); (S.A.-O.)
| | - Sarah Al-Omari
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut 11-0236, Lebanon; (G.R.M.); (S.A.-O.)
| | - Laith J. Abu-Raddad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation—Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar; (M.M.); (H.C.); (S.S.)
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation—Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10022, USA
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Ong JJ, Wi T, Hughes G, Williamson DA, Mayaud P, Chow EPF. Gonorrhoea: tackling the global epidemic in the era of rising antimicrobial resistance. Sex Health 2020; 16:397-400. [PMID: 32172790 DOI: 10.1071/sh19121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This Special Issue of Sexual Health aims to collate the latest evidence base focussed on understanding the current epidemic and transmission of gonorrhoea, choice of treatment, molecular epidemiology application, concerns about antimicrobial resistance and alternative prevention and control for gonorrhoea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason J Ong
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia; and Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; and Corresponding author.
| | - Teodora Wi
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva 1211, Switzerland
| | - Gwenda Hughes
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Colindale NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia
| | - Philippe Mayaud
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3053, Australia; and Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia
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McIntosh EDG. Development of vaccines against the sexually transmitted infections gonorrhoea, syphilis, Chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, human immunodeficiency virus and Zika virus. Ther Adv Vaccines Immunother 2020; 8:2515135520923887. [PMID: 32647779 PMCID: PMC7325543 DOI: 10.1177/2515135520923887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The success in preventing hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus infections by means of vaccination paves the way for the development of other vaccines to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, human immunodeficiency virus and Zika virus. The current status of vaccine development for these infections will be explored in this review. The general principles for success include the need for prevention of latency, persistence and repeat infections. A reduction in transmission of STIs would reduce the global burden of disease. Therapeutic activity of vaccines against STIs would be advantageous over preventative activity alone, and prevention of congenital and neonatal infections would be an added benefit. There would be an added value in the prevention of long-term consequences of STIs. It may be possible to re-purpose ‘old’ vaccines for new indications. One of the major challenges is the determination of the target populations for STI vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin David G McIntosh
- FEO - Faculty Education Office (Medicine), Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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25
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Gottlieb SL, Ndowa F, Hook EW, Deal C, Bachmann L, Abu-Raddad L, Chen XS, Jerse A, Low N, MacLennan CA, Petousis-Harris H, Seib KL, Unemo M, Vincent L, Giersing BK. Gonococcal vaccines: Public health value and preferred product characteristics; report of a WHO global stakeholder consultation, January 2019. Vaccine 2020; 38:4362-4373. [PMID: 32359875 PMCID: PMC7273195 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.02.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Renewed interest in developing vaccines against Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been sparked by the increasing threat of gonococcal antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and growing optimism that gonococcal vaccines are biologically feasible. Evidence suggests serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis vaccines might provide some cross-protection against N. gonorrhoeae, and new gonococcal vaccine candidates based on several approaches are currently in preclinical development. To further stimulate investment and accelerate development of gonococcal vaccines, greater understanding is needed regarding the overall value that gonococcal vaccines might have in addressing public health and societal goals in low-, middle-, and high-income country contexts and how future gonococcal vaccines might be accepted and used, if available. In January 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a multidisciplinary international group of experts to lay the groundwork for understanding the potential health, economic, and societal value of gonococcal vaccines and their likely acceptance and use, and for developing gonococcal vaccine preferred product characteristics (PPCs). WHO PPCs describe preferences for vaccine attributes that would help optimize vaccine value and use in meeting the global public health need. This paper describes the main discussion points and conclusions from the January 2019 meeting of experts. Participants emphasized the need for vaccines to control N. gonorrhoeae infections with the ultimate goals of preventing adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes (e.g., infertility) and reducing the impact of gonococcal AMR. Meeting participants also discussed important PPC considerations (e.g., vaccine indications, target populations, and potential immunization strategies) and highlighted crucial research and data needs for guiding the value assessment and PPCs for gonococcal vaccines and advancing gonococcal vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Edward W Hook
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Carolyn Deal
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Laura Bachmann
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Xiang-Sheng Chen
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China
| | - Ann Jerse
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Services, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kate L Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | | | - Leah Vincent
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
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26
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Rubin DHF, Ross JDC, Grad YH. The frontiers of addressing antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Transl Res 2020; 220:122-137. [PMID: 32119845 PMCID: PMC7293957 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, can cause urethritis, cervicitis, and systemic disease, among other manifestations. N. gonorrhoeae has rapidly rising incidence along with increasing levels of antibiotic resistance to a broad range of drugs including first-line treatments. The rise in resistance has led to fears of untreatable gonorrhea causing substantial disease globally. In this review, we will describe multiple approaches being undertaken to slow and control this spread of resistance. First, a number of old drugs have been repurposed and new drugs are being developed with activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Second, vaccine development, long an important goal, is advancing. Third, new diagnostics promise rapid detection of antibiotic resistance and a shift from empiric to tailored treatment. The deployment of these new tools for addressing the challenge of antibiotic resistance will require careful consideration to provide optimal care for all patients while extending the lifespan of treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel H F Rubin
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan D C Ross
- Department of Sexual Health and HIV, Birmingham University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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27
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Sexually transmitted infections among African women: an opportunity for combination sexually transmitted infection/HIV prevention. AIDS 2020; 34:651-658. [PMID: 32167988 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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28
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Unemo M, Lahra MM, Cole M, Galarza P, Ndowa F, Martin I, Dillon JAR, Ramon-Pardo P, Bolan G, Wi T. World Health Organization Global Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (WHO GASP): review of new data and evidence to inform international collaborative actions and research efforts. Sex Health 2019; 16:412-425. [PMID: 31437420 PMCID: PMC7035961 DOI: 10.1071/sh19023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a serious public health problem, compromising the management and control of gonorrhoea globally. Resistance in N. gonorrhoeae to ceftriaxone, the last option for first-line empirical monotherapy of gonorrhoea, has been reported from many countries globally, and sporadic failures to cure especially pharyngeal gonorrhoea with ceftriaxone monotherapy and dual antimicrobial therapies (ceftriaxone plus azithromycin or doxycycline) have been confirmed in several countries. In 2018, the first gonococcal isolates with ceftriaxone resistance plus high-level azithromycin resistance were identified in England and Australia. The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (GASP) is essential to monitor AMR trends, identify emerging AMR and provide evidence for refinements of treatment guidelines and public health policy globally. Herein we describe the WHO GASP data from 67 countries in 2015-16, confirmed gonorrhoea treatment failures with ceftriaxone with or without azithromycin or doxycycline, and international collaborative actions and research efforts essential for the effective management and control of gonorrhoea. In most countries, resistance to ciprofloxacin is exceedingly high, azithromycin resistance is present and decreased susceptibility or resistance to ceftriaxone has emerged. Enhanced global collaborative actions are crucial for the control of gonorrhoea, including improved prevention, early diagnosis, treatment of index patient and partner (including test-of-cure), improved and expanded AMR surveillance (including surveillance of antimicrobial use and treatment failures), increased knowledge of correct antimicrobial use and the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antimicrobials and effective drug regulations and prescription policies (including antimicrobial stewardship). Ultimately, rapid, accurate and affordable point-of-care diagnostic tests (ideally also predicting AMR and/or susceptibility), new therapeutic antimicrobials and, the only sustainable solution, gonococcal vaccine(s) are imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Unemo
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, SE-701 85 Örebro, Sweden; and Corresponding author.
| | - Monica M Lahra
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, New South Wales Health Pathology, Microbiology, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Cole
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Patricia Galarza
- National Reference Laboratory for STDs, National Institute of Infectious Diseases - ANLIS 'Dr Carlos G. Malbrán', Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francis Ndowa
- Skin and Genitourinary Medicine Clinic, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Irene Martin
- Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Pilar Ramon-Pardo
- Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health Department Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Gail Bolan
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Teodora Wi
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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