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Jensen JS, Unemo M. Antimicrobial treatment and resistance in sexually transmitted bacterial infections. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024:10.1038/s41579-024-01023-3. [PMID: 38509173 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01023-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [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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2
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Unitt A, Maiden M, Harrison O. Characterizing the diversity and commensal origins of penA mosaicism in the genus Neisseria. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001209. [PMID: 38381035 PMCID: PMC10926701 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001209] [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: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Mosaic penA alleles formed through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) have been instrumental to the rising incidence of ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcal infections. Although interspecies HGT of regions of the penA gene between Neisseria gonorrhoeae and commensal Neisseria species has been described, knowledge concerning which species are the most common contributors to mosaic penA alleles is limited, with most studies examining only a small number of alleles. Here, we investigated the origins of recombinant penA alleles through in silico analyses that incorporated 1700 penA alleles from 35 513 Neisseria isolates, comprising 15 different Neisseria species. We identified Neisseria subflava and Neisseria cinerea as the most common source of recombinant sequences in N. gonorrhoeae penA. This contrasted with Neisseria meningitidis penA, for which the primary source of recombinant DNA was other meningococci, followed by Neisseria lactamica. Additionally, we described the distribution of polymorphisms implicated in antimicrobial resistance in penA, and found that these are present across the genus. These results provide insight into resistance-related changes in the penA gene across human-associated Neisseria species, illustrating the importance of genomic surveillance of not only the pathogenic Neisseria, but also of the oral niche-associated commensals from which these pathogens are sourcing key genetic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Unitt
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Martin Maiden
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Odile Harrison
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
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Nafea AM, Wang Y, Wang D, Salama AM, Aziz MA, Xu S, Tong Y. Application of next-generation sequencing to identify different pathogens. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1329330. [PMID: 38348304 PMCID: PMC10859930 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1329330] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Early and precise detection and identification of various pathogens are essential for epidemiological monitoring, disease management, and reducing the prevalence of clinical infectious diseases. Traditional pathogen detection techniques, which include mass spectrometry, biochemical tests, molecular testing, and culture-based methods, are limited in application and are time-consuming. Next generation sequencing (NGS) has emerged as an essential technology for identifying pathogens. NGS is a cutting-edge sequencing method with high throughput that can create massive volumes of sequences with a broad application prospects in the field of pathogen identification and diagnosis. In this review, we introduce NGS technology in detail, summarizes the application of NGS in that identification of different pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and analyze the challenges and outlook for using NGS to identify clinical pathogens. Thus, this work provides a theoretical basis for NGS studies and provides evidence to support the application of NGS in distinguishing various clinical pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aljuboori M. Nafea
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
- College of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Ibn Sina University of Medical and Pharmaceutical Science, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Yuer Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Duanyang Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Ahmed M. Salama
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
- Medical Laboratory at Sharkia Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Sharkia, Egypt
| | - Manal A. Aziz
- College of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Ibn Sina University of Medical and Pharmaceutical Science, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Shan Xu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
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Yaesoubi R, Xi Q, Hsu K, Gift TL, St. Cyr SB, Rönn MM, Salomon JA, Grad YH. The Impact of Rapid Drug Susceptibility Tests on Gonorrhea Burden and the Life Span of Antibiotic Treatments: A Modeling Study Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States. Am J Epidemiol 2024; 193:17-25. [PMID: 37625444 PMCID: PMC10773484 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwad175] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid point-of-care tests that diagnose gonococcal infections and identify susceptibility to antibiotics enable individualized treatment. This could improve patient outcomes and slow the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. However, little is known about the long-term impact of such diagnostics on the burden of gonorrhea and the effective life span of antibiotics. We used a mathematical model of gonorrhea transmission among men who have sex with men in the United States to project the annual rate of reported gonorrhea cases and the effective life span of ceftriaxone, the recommended antibiotic for first-line treatment of gonorrhea, as well as 2 previously recommended antibiotics, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline, when a rapid drug susceptibility test that estimates susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline is available. The use of a rapid drug susceptibility test with ≥50% sensitivity and ≥95% specificity, defined in terms of correct ascertainment of drug susceptibility and nonsusceptibility status, could increase the combined effective life span of ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and ceftriaxone by at least 2 years over 25 years of simulation. If test specificity is imperfect, however, the increase in the effective life span of antibiotics is accompanied by an increase in the rate of reported gonorrhea cases even under perfect sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Yaesoubi
- Correspondence to Reza Yaesoubi, Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, 350 George Street, Room 308, New Haven, CT 06510 (e-mail: )
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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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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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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Riou J, Althaus CL, Allen H, Cole MJ, Grad YH, Heijne JCM, Unemo M, Low N. Projecting the development of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae from antimicrobial surveillance data: a mathematical modelling study. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:252. [PMID: 37081443 PMCID: PMC10116452 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08200-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends changing the first-line antimicrobial treatment for gonorrhoea when ≥ 5% of Neisseria gonorrhoeae cases fail treatment or are resistant. Susceptibility to ceftriaxone, the last remaining treatment option has been decreasing in many countries. We used antimicrobial resistance surveillance data and developed mathematical models to project the time to reach the 5% threshold for resistance to first-line antimicrobials used for N. gonorrhoeae. METHODS We used data from the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP) in England and Wales from 2000-2018 about minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, cefixime and ceftriaxone and antimicrobial treatment in two groups, heterosexual men and women (HMW) and men who have sex with men (MSM). We developed two susceptible-infected-susceptible models to fit these data and produce projections of the proportion of resistance until 2030. The single-step model represents the situation in which a single mutation results in antimicrobial resistance. In the multi-step model, the sequential accumulation of resistance mutations is reflected by changes in the MIC distribution. RESULTS The single-step model described resistance to ciprofloxacin well. Both single-step and multi-step models could describe azithromycin and cefixime resistance, with projected resistance levels higher with the multi-step than the single step model. For ceftriaxone, with very few observed cases of full resistance, the multi-step model was needed to describe long-term dynamics of resistance. Extrapolating from the observed upward drift in MIC values, the multi-step model projected ≥ 5% resistance to ceftriaxone could be reached by 2030, based on treatment pressure alone. Ceftriaxone resistance was projected to rise to 13.2% (95% credible interval [CrI]: 0.7-44.8%) among HMW and 19.6% (95%CrI: 2.6-54.4%) among MSM by 2030. CONCLUSIONS New first-line antimicrobials for gonorrhoea treatment are needed. In the meantime, public health authorities should strengthen surveillance for AMR in N. gonorrhoeae and implement strategies for continued antimicrobial stewardship. Our models show the utility of long-term representative surveillance of gonococcal antimicrobial susceptibility data and can be adapted for use in, and for comparison with, other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Riou
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Christian L Althaus
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Janneke C M Heijne
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nicola Low
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Bristow CC, Mortimer TD, Morris S, Grad YH, Soge OO, Wakatake E, Pascual R, Murphy SM, Fryling KE, Adamson PC, Dillon JA, Parmar NR, Le HHL, Van Le H, Ovalles Ureña RM, Mitchev N, Mlisana K, Wi T, Dickson SP, Klausner JD. Whole-Genome Sequencing to Predict Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. J Infect Dis 2023; 227:917-925. [PMID: 36735316 PMCID: PMC10319951 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad027] [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: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major public health problem due to increasing incidence and antimicrobial resistance. Genetic markers of reduced susceptibility have been identified; the extent to which those are representative of global antimicrobial resistance is unknown. We evaluated the performance of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) used to predict susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and other antimicrobials using a global collection of N. gonorrhoeae isolates. METHODS Susceptibility testing of common antimicrobials and the recently developed zolifodacin was performed using agar dilution to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). We identified resistance alleles at loci known to contribute to antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae from WGS data. We tested the ability of each locus to predict antimicrobial susceptibility. RESULTS A total of 481 N. gonorrhoeae isolates, collected between 2004 and 2019 and making up 457 unique genomes, were sourced from 5 countries. All isolates with demonstrated susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (MIC ≤0.06 μg/mL) had a wild-type gyrA codon 91. Multilocus approaches were needed to predict susceptibility to other antimicrobials. All isolates were susceptible to zoliflodacin, defined by an MIC ≤0.25 μg/mL. CONCLUSIONS Single marker prediction can be used to inform ciprofloxacin treatment of N. gonorrhoeae infection. A combination of molecular markers may be needed to determine susceptibility for other antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire C Bristow
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Tatum D Mortimer
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sheldon Morris
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Olusegun O Soge
- Departments of Global Health, Allergy and Infectious Disease, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Erika Wakatake
- Departments of Global Health, Allergy and Infectious Disease, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rushlenne Pascual
- Departments of Global Health, Allergy and Infectious Disease, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sara McCurdy Murphy
- Social & Scientific Systems, a DLH Holdings Company, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Kyra E Fryling
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paul C Adamson
- Division of Infectious Diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jo-Anne Dillon
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sikkim, Canada
| | - Nidhi R Parmar
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sikkim, Canada
| | - Hai Ha Long Le
- Department of Microbiology, Mycology and Parasitology, National Hospital of Venereology and Dermatology, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hung Van Le
- Department of Microbiology, Mycology and Parasitology, National Hospital of Venereology and Dermatology, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Nireshni Mitchev
- University of KwaZulu-Natal: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Glenwood, Durban, South Africa
| | - Koleka Mlisana
- University of KwaZulu-Natal: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Glenwood, Durban, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Teodora Wi
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Jeffrey D Klausner
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Nielsen KE, St. Cyr SB, Pham CD, Kreisel KM. Assessing the National Representativeness of Estimates of Antimicrobial-Resistant Urogenital Neisseria gonorrhoeae in US Men, Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project, 2008-2018. Sex Transm Dis 2023; 50:196-202. [PMID: 36538365 PMCID: PMC11146284 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001755] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The percentage of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) isolates with resistance or elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations to antimicrobials has steadily increased. Current estimates are based on the Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project (GISP), a sentinel surveillance study of male GC in the United States. This analysis seeks to assess for adjustment before treating aggregated GISP estimates as nationally representative of all reported male urogenital infections. METHODS We used multilevel regression with poststratification (MRP) to compute national estimates of the proportion of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) (defined as exceeding minimum inhibitory concentration thresholds) in male GC using data from 2008 to 2018 GISP and case reports. Sensitivity analyses investigated the impact of analysis assumptions and unmeasured variables. We additionally produced estimates of 2018 AMR GC cases among US men. RESULTS National estimates were consistent with unweighted estimates. The estimated proportion of incident AMR GC infections in men with urogenital GC in 2018 was 51.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 50.1%-52.9%), equating to an estimated 366,300 incident AMR GC infections in US men aged 15 to 39 years. Estimates of AMR for tested antimicrobials in male GC infections in 2018 ranged from 0.16% (95% CI, 0.08%-0.24%) for ceftriaxone to 29.9% (95% CI, 28.6%-31.1%) for ciprofloxacin. Sensitivity analyses revealed that unmeasured data on sex of sex partners could substantially impact weighted estimates. CONCLUSIONS Antimicrobial resistance among reported incident male urogenital GC infections remains rare for ceftriaxone, the current standard of care. Aggregated GISP data are generally representative of men in the US who are reported with urogenital gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E. Nielsen
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Georgia State University
- Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Sancta B. St. Cyr
- Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Cau D. Pham
- Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Kristen M. Kreisel
- Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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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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11
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Systems Biology: New Insight into Antibiotic Resistance. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122362. [PMID: 36557614 PMCID: PMC9781975 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as an important threat to public health, resulting from the global propagation of multidrug-resistant strains of various bacterial species. Knowledge of the intrinsic factors leading to this resistance is necessary to overcome these new strains. This has contributed to the increased use of omics technologies and their extrapolation to the system level. Understanding the mechanisms involved in antimicrobial resistance acquired by microorganisms at the system level is essential to obtain answers and explore options to combat this resistance. Therefore, the use of robust whole-genome sequencing approaches and other omics techniques such as transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics provide fundamental insights into the physiology of antimicrobial resistance. To improve the efficiency of data obtained through omics approaches, and thus gain a predictive understanding of bacterial responses to antibiotics, the integration of mathematical models with genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) is essential. In this context, here we outline recent efforts that have demonstrated that the use of omics technology and systems biology, as quantitative and robust hypothesis-generating frameworks, can improve the understanding of antibiotic resistance, and it is hoped that this emerging field can provide support for these new efforts.
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12
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Yasir M, Mustafa Karim A, Kausar Malik S, Bajaffer AA, Azhar EI. Prediction of Antimicrobial Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations for Neisseria gonorrhoeae using Machine Learning Models. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:3687-3693. [PMID: 35844400 PMCID: PMC9280306 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that can inhibit the visible growth of a microorganism after overnight incubation is called as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the drug prescriptions are made on the basis of MIC data to ensure successful treatment outcomes. Therefore, reliable antimicrobial susceptibility data is crucial, and it will help clinicians about which drug to prescribe. Although few prediction studies based on strategies have been conducted, however, no single machine learning (ML) modelling has been carried out to predict MICs in N. gonorrhoeae. In this study, we propose a ML based approach that can predict MICs of a specific antibiotic using unitigs sequences data. We retrieved N. gonorrhoeae genomes from European Nucleotide Archive and NCBI and analysed them combined with their respective MIC data for cefixime, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin and then we constructed unitigs by using de Brujin graphs. We built and compared 35 different ML regression models to predict MICs. Our results demonstrate that RandomForest and CATBoost models showed best performance in predicting MICs of the three antibiotics. The coefficient of determination, R2, (a statistical measure of how well the regression predictions approximate the real data points) for cefixime, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin was 0.75787, 0.77241, and 0.79009 respectively using RandomForest. For CATBoost model, the R2 value was 0.74570, 0.77393, and 0.79317 for cefixime, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin respectively. Lastly, using feature importance, we explore the important genomic regions identified by the models for predicting MICs. The major mutations which are responsible for resistance against these three antibiotics were chosen by ML models as a top feature in case of each antibiotics. CATBoost, DecisionTree, GradientBoosting, and RandomForest regression models chose the same unitigs which are responsible for resistance. This unitigs-based strategy for developing models for MIC prediction, clinical diagnostics, and surveillance can be applicable for other critical bacterial pathogens.
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13
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Kueakulpattana N, Wannigama DL, Luk-In S, Hongsing P, Hurst C, Badavath VN, Jenjaroenpun P, Wongsurawat T, Teeratakulpisan N, Kerr SJ, Abe S, Phattharapornjaroen P, Shein AMS, Saethang T, Chantaravisoot N, Amarasiri M, Higgins PG, Chatsuwan T. Multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in heterosexual men with reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone, first report in Thailand. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21659. [PMID: 34737332 PMCID: PMC8569152 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00675-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The global rapid emergence of azithromycin/ceftriaxone resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae threatens current recommend azithromycin/ceftriaxone dual therapy for gonorrhea to ensure effective treatment. Here, we identified the first two N. gonorrhoeae isolates with decreased ceftriaxone susceptibility in Thailand. Among 134 N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected from Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic, Bangkok, two isolates (NG-083 and NG-091) from urethral swab in male heterosexual patients had reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone (MICs of 0.125 mg/L). Both were multidrug resistant and strong biofilm producers with ceftriaxone tolerance (MBEC > 128 mg/L). NG-083 and NG-091 remained susceptible to azithromycin (MIC of 1 mg/L and 0.5 mg/L, respectively). Reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone was associated with alterations in PBP2, PBP1, PorB, MtrR, and mtrR promoter region. NG-083 belonged to sequence type (ST) 7235 and NG-091 has new allele number of tbpB with new ST. Molecular docking revealed ceftriaxone weakly occupied the active site of mosaic XXXIV penicillin-binding protein 2 variant in both isolates. Molecular epidemiology results revealed that both isolates display similarities with isolates from UK, USA, and The Netherlands. These first two genetically related gonococcal isolates with decreased ceftriaxone susceptibility heralds the threat of treatment failure in Thailand, and importance of careful surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naris Kueakulpattana
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, King, Thailand.,Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Dhammika Leshan Wannigama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, King, Thailand.,School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirirat Luk-In
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Parichart Hongsing
- Mae Fah Luang University Hospital, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand.,School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - Cameron Hurst
- Department of Statistic, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Vishnu Nayak Badavath
- Institute for Drug Research, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 9112001, Israel.,Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, 140401, India
| | - Piroon Jenjaroenpun
- Division of Bioinformatics and Data Management for Research, Department of Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Thidathip Wongsurawat
- Division of Bioinformatics and Data Management for Research, Department of Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | | | - Stephen J Kerr
- HIV-NAT, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.,Center of Excellence in Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Shuichi Abe
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Center of Excellence, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Aye Mya Sithu Shein
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, King, Thailand.,Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thammakorn Saethang
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Naphat Chantaravisoot
- Office of Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mohan Amarasiri
- Laboratory of Environmental HygieneDepartment of Health Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara-Minami, KitasatoKanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Paul G Higgins
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tanittha Chatsuwan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, King, Thailand. .,Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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14
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Shaskolskiy B, Kandinov I, Kravtsov D, Filippova M, Chestkov A, Solomka V, Kubanov A, Deryabin D, Dementieva E, Gryadunov D. Prediction of ceftriaxone MIC in Neisseria gonorrhoeae using DNA microarray technology and regression analysis. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 76:3151-3158. [PMID: 34458918 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decreased susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to extended-spectrum cephalosporins is a major concern. Elucidation of the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of such isolates is a priority task. METHODS We developed a method for predicting the N. gonorrhoeae ceftriaxone susceptibility level (MICcro) by identifying genetic determinants of resistance using low-density hydrogel microarrays and a regression equation. A training dataset, containing 5631 isolates from the Pathogenwatch database and 181 isolates obtained in the Russian Federation during 2018-19, was used to build a regression model. The regression equation was tested on 14 WHO reference strains. Ceftriaxone resistance determinants for the 448 evaluated clinical isolates collected in Russia were identified using microarray analysis, and MICcro values were calculated using the regression equation and compared with those measured by the serial dilution method. RESULTS The regression equation for calculating MICcro values included 20 chromosomal resistance determinants. The greatest contributions to the increase in MICcro were shown to be PBP2: Ala-501→Pro, Ala-311→Val, Gly-545→Ser substitutions, Asp(345-346) insertion; and PorB: Gly-120→Arg substitution. The substitutions PBP2: Ala-501→Thr/Val, PorB: Gly-120→Asn/Asp/Lys and PBP1: Leu-421→Pro had weaker effects. For 94.4% of the isolates in the evaluation set, the predicted MICcro was within one doubling dilution of the experimentally determined MICcro. No ceftriaxone-resistant isolates were identified in the analysed samples from Russia, and no interpretative errors were detected in the MICcro calculations. CONCLUSIONS The developed strategy for predicting ceftriaxone MIC can be used for the continuous surveillance of known and emerging resistant N. gonorrhoeae isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Shaskolskiy
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilov str., 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilya Kandinov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilov str., 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Kravtsov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilov str., 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina Filippova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilov str., 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Chestkov
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Korolenko str. 3/1, 107076 Moscow, Russia
| | - Victoria Solomka
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Korolenko str. 3/1, 107076 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey Kubanov
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Korolenko str. 3/1, 107076 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Deryabin
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Korolenko str. 3/1, 107076 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Dementieva
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilov str., 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Gryadunov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilov str., 119991 Moscow, Russia
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15
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Emergence of Salmonid Alphavirus Genotype 2 in Norway-Molecular Characterization of Viral Strains Circulating in Norway and Scotland. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081556. [PMID: 34452421 PMCID: PMC8402823 DOI: 10.3390/v13081556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreas disease (PD) and sleeping disease (SD), caused by an alphavirus, are endemic in European salmonid aquaculture, causing significant mortality, reduced growth and poor flesh quality. In 2010, a new variant of salmonid alphavirus emerged in Norway, marine salmonid alphavirus genotype 2 (SAV2). As this genotype is highly prevalent in Scotland, transmission through well boat traffic was hypothesized as one possible source of infection. In this study, we performed full-length genome sequencing of SAV2 sampled between 2006 and 2012 in Norway and Scotland, and present the first comprehensive full-length characterization of Norwegian marine SAV2 strains. We analyze their relationship with selected Scottish SAV2 strains and explore the genetic diversity of SAV. Our results show that all Norwegian marine SAV2 share a recent last common ancestor with marine SAV2 circulating in Scotland and a higher level of genomic diversity among the Scottish marine SAV2 strains compared to strains from Norway. These findings support the hypothesis of a single introduction of SAV2 to Norway sometime from 2006-2010, followed by horizontal spread along the coast.
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16
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Palace SG, Fryling KE, Li Y, Wentworth AJ, Traverso G, Grad YH. Identification of bile acid and fatty acid species as candidate rapidly bactericidal agents for topical treatment of gonorrhoea. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 76:2569-2577. [PMID: 34245280 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, given its increasing antimicrobial resistance. Treatment of oropharyngeal N. gonorrhoeae infections has proven particularly challenging, with most reported treatment failures of the first-line drug ceftriaxone occurring at this site and lower cure rates in recent trials of new antibiotics reported for oropharyngeal infections compared with other sites of infection. However, the accessibility of the oropharynx to topical therapeutics provides an opportunity for intervention. Local delivery of a therapeutic at a high concentration would enable the use of non-traditional antimicrobial candidates, including biological molecules that exploit underlying chemical sensitivities of N. gonorrhoeae but lack the potency or pharmacokinetic profiles required for effective systemic administration. METHODS Two classes of molecules that are thought to limit gonococcal viability in vivo, bile acids and short- and medium-chain fatty acids, were examined for rapid bactericidal activity. RESULTS The bile acids deoxycholic acid (DCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), but not other bile acid species, exerted extremely rapid bactericidal properties against N. gonorrhoeae, reducing viability more than 100 000-fold after 1 min. The short-chain fatty acids formic acid and hexanoic acid shared this rapid bactericidal activity. All four molecules are effective against a phylogenetically diverse panel of N. gonorrhoeae strains, including clinical isolates with upregulated efflux pumps and resistance alleles to the most widely used classes of existing antimicrobials. DCA and CDCA are both approved therapeutics for non-infectious indications and are well-tolerated by cultured epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS DCA and CDCA are attractive candidates for further development as anti-gonococcal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha G Palace
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kyra E Fryling
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Adam J Wentworth
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Giovanni Traverso
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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17
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Singh R, Kusalik A, Dillon JAR. Bioinformatics tools used for whole-genome sequencing analysis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: a literature review. Brief Funct Genomics 2021; 21:78-89. [PMID: 34170311 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elab028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data are well established for the investigation of gonococcal transmission, antimicrobial resistance prediction, population structure determination and population dynamics. A variety of bioinformatics tools, repositories, services and platforms have been applied to manage and analyze Neisseria gonorrhoeae WGS datasets. This review provides an overview of the various bioinformatics approaches and resources used in 105 published studies (as of 30 April 2021). The challenges in the analysis of N. gonorrhoeae WGS datasets, as well as future bioinformatics requirements, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reema Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology
| | - Anthony Kusalik
- Department of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan
| | - Jo-Anne R Dillon
- Department of Biochemistry Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, c/o Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N5E3, Canada
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18
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Lan PT, Golparian D, Ringlander J, Van Hung L, Van Thuong N, Unemo M. Genomic analysis and antimicrobial resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from Vietnam in 2011 and 2015-16. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:1432-1438. [PMID: 32068837 PMCID: PMC7382555 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, compromising gonorrhoea treatment, is a threat to reproductive health globally. South-East and East Asia have been major sources of emergence and subsequent international spread of AMR gonococcal strains during recent decades. We investigated gonococcal isolates from 2011 and 2015-16 in Vietnam using AMR testing, WGS and detection of AMR determinants. METHODS Two hundred and twenty-nine gonococcal isolates cultured in 2015-16 (n = 121) and 2011 (n = 108) in Vietnam were examined. AMR testing was performed using Etest and WGS with Illumina MiSeq. RESULTS Resistance among the 2015-16 isolates was as follows: ciprofloxacin, 100%; tetracycline, 79%; benzylpenicillin, 50%; cefixime, 15%; ceftriaxone, 1%; spectinomycin, 0%; and 5% were non-WT to azithromycin. Eighteen (15%) isolates were MDR. The MIC range for gentamicin was 2-8 mg/L. Among the 2015-16 isolates, 27% (n = 33) contained a mosaic penA allele, while no isolates had a mosaic penA allele in 2011. Phylogenomic analysis revealed introduction after 2011 of two mosaic penA-containing clones (penA-10.001 and penA-34.001), which were related to cefixime-resistant strains spreading in Japan and Europe, and a minor clade (eight isolates) relatively similar to the XDR strain WHO Q. CONCLUSIONS From 2011 to 2015-16, resistance in gonococci from Vietnam increased to all currently and previously used antimicrobials except ceftriaxone, spectinomycin and tetracycline. Two mosaic penA-containing clones were introduced after 2011, explaining the increased cefixime resistance. Significantly increased AMR surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship and use of WGS for molecular epidemiology and AMR prediction for gonococcal isolates in Vietnam and other Asian countries are crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pham Thi Lan
- Hanoi Medical University, National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Swedish Reference Laboratory for STIs, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Johan Ringlander
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Swedish Reference Laboratory for STIs, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases at Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Le Van Hung
- Hanoi Medical University, National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Van Thuong
- Hanoi Medical University, National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Swedish Reference Laboratory for STIs, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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19
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Thomas JC, Joseph SJ, Cartee JC, Pham CD, Schmerer MW, Schlanger K, St Cyr SB, Kersh EN, Raphael BH. Phylogenomic analysis reveals persistence of gonococcal strains with reduced-susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and mosaic penA-34. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3801. [PMID: 34155204 PMCID: PMC8217231 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24072-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent emergence of strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae associated with treatment failures to ceftriaxone, the foundation of current treatment options, has raised concerns over a future of untreatable gonorrhea. Current global data on gonococcal strains suggest that several lineages, predominately characterized by mosaic penA alleles, are associated with elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to extended spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs). Here we report on whole genome sequences of 813 N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected through the Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project in the United States. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that one persisting lineage (Clade A, multi-locus sequence type [MLST] ST1901) with mosaic penA-34 alleles, contained the majority of isolates with elevated MICs to ESCs. We provide evidence that an ancestor to the globally circulating MLST ST1901 clones potentially emerged around the early to mid-20th century (1944, credibility intervals [CI]: 1935-1953), predating the introduction of cephalosporins, but coinciding with the use of penicillin. Such results indicate that drugs with novel mechanisms of action are needed as these strains continue to persist and disseminate globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse C Thomas
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Sandeep J Joseph
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - John C Cartee
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Cau D Pham
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Matthew W Schmerer
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Karen Schlanger
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sancta B St Cyr
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ellen N Kersh
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Brian H Raphael
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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20
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Manoharan-Basil SS, Laumen JGE, Van Dijck C, De Block T, De Baetselier I, Kenyon C. Evidence of Horizontal Gene Transfer of 50S Ribosomal Genes rplB, rplD, and rplY in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:683901. [PMID: 34177869 PMCID: PMC8222677 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.683901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in the penA and multidrug efflux pump genes has been shown to play a key role in the genesis of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In this study, we evaluated if there was evidence of HGT in the genes coding for the ribosomal proteins in the Neisseria genus. We did this in a collection of 11,659 isolates of Neisseria, including N. gonorrhoeae and commensal Neisseria species (N. cinerea, N. elongata, N. flavescens, N. mucosa, N. polysaccharea, and N. subflava). Comparative genomic analyses identified HGT events in three genes: rplB, rplD, and rplY coding for ribosomal proteins L2, L4 and L25, respectively. Recombination events were predicted in N. gonorrhoeae and N. cinerea, N. subflava, and N. lactamica were identified as likely progenitors. In total, 2,337, 2,355, and 1,127 isolates possessed L2, L4, and L25 HGT events. Strong associations were found between HGT in L2/L4 and the C2597T 23S rRNA mutation that confers reduced susceptibility to macrolides. Whilst previous studies have found evidence of HGT of entire genes coding for ribosomal proteins in other bacterial species, this is the first study to find evidence of HGT-mediated chimerization of ribosomal proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jolein Gyonne Elise Laumen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Christophe Van Dijck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tessa De Block
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Irith De Baetselier
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Chris Kenyon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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21
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Sánchez-Busó L, Yeats CA, Taylor B, Goater RJ, Underwood A, Abudahab K, Argimón S, Ma KC, Mortimer TD, Golparian D, Cole MJ, Grad YH, Martin I, Raphael BH, Shafer WM, Town K, Wi T, Harris SR, Unemo M, Aanensen DM. A community-driven resource for genomic epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance prediction of Neisseria gonorrhoeae at Pathogenwatch. Genome Med 2021; 13:61. [PMID: 33875000 PMCID: PMC8054416 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00858-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent threat to public health, as strains resistant to at least one of the two last-line antibiotics used in empiric therapy of gonorrhoea, ceftriaxone and azithromycin, have spread internationally. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) data can be used to identify new AMR clones and transmission networks and inform the development of point-of-care tests for antimicrobial susceptibility, novel antimicrobials and vaccines. Community-driven tools that provide an easy access to and analysis of genomic and epidemiological data is the way forward for public health surveillance. METHODS Here we present a public health-focussed scheme for genomic epidemiology of N. gonorrhoeae at Pathogenwatch ( https://pathogen.watch/ngonorrhoeae ). An international advisory group of experts in epidemiology, public health, genetics and genomics of N. gonorrhoeae was convened to inform on the utility of current and future analytics in the platform. We implement backwards compatibility with MLST, NG-MAST and NG-STAR typing schemes as well as an exhaustive library of genetic AMR determinants linked to a genotypic prediction of resistance to eight antibiotics. A collection of over 12,000 N. gonorrhoeae genome sequences from public archives has been quality-checked, assembled and made public together with available metadata for contextualization. RESULTS AMR prediction from genome data revealed specificity values over 99% for azithromycin, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone and sensitivity values around 99% for benzylpenicillin and tetracycline. A case study using the Pathogenwatch collection of N. gonorrhoeae public genomes showed the global expansion of an azithromycin-resistant lineage carrying a mosaic mtr over at least the last 10 years, emphasising the power of Pathogenwatch to explore and evaluate genomic epidemiology questions of public health concern. CONCLUSIONS The N. gonorrhoeae scheme in Pathogenwatch provides customised bioinformatic pipelines guided by expert opinion that can be adapted to public health agencies and departments with little expertise in bioinformatics and lower-resourced settings with internet connection but limited computational infrastructure. The advisory group will assess and identify ongoing public health needs in the field of gonorrhoea, particularly regarding gonococcal AMR, in order to further enhance utility with modified or new analytic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonor Sánchez-Busó
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK.
- Genomics and Health Area, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Community (FISABIO-Public Health), Valencia, Spain.
| | - Corin A Yeats
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Benjamin Taylor
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Richard J Goater
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
- European Molecular Biology Lab, Heidelberg, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
| | - Anthony Underwood
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Khalil Abudahab
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Silvia Argimón
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Kevin C Ma
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tatum D Mortimer
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Golparian
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Michelle J Cole
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Irene Martin
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Brian H Raphael
- Division of STD prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - William M Shafer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Laboratories of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Katy Town
- Division of STD prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Teodora Wi
- Department of the Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Simon R Harris
- Microbiotica, Biodata Innovation Centre, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Magnus Unemo
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - David M Aanensen
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK.
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK.
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22
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Osnes MN, van Dorp L, Brynildsrud OB, Alfsnes K, Schneiders T, Templeton KE, Yahara K, Balloux F, Caugant DA, Eldholm V. Antibiotic Treatment Regimes as a Driver of the Global Population Dynamics of a Major Gonorrhea Lineage. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:1249-1261. [PMID: 33432328 PMCID: PMC8042733 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Neisseria gonorrhoeae multilocus sequence type (ST) 1901 is among the lineages most commonly associated with treatment failure. Here, we analyze a global collection of ST-1901 genomes to shed light on the emergence and spread of alleles associated with reduced susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs). The genetic diversity of ST-1901 falls into a minor and a major clade, both of which were inferred to have originated in East Asia. The dispersal of the major clade from Asia happened in two separate waves expanding from ∼1987 and 1996, respectively. Both waves first reached North America, and from there spread to Europe and Oceania, with multiple secondary reintroductions to Asia. The ancestor of the second wave acquired the penA 34.001 allele, which significantly reduces susceptibility to ESCs. Our results suggest that the acquisition of this allele granted the second wave a fitness advantage at a time when ESCs became the key drug class used to treat gonorrhea. Following its establishment globally, the lineage has served as a reservoir for the repeated emergence of clones fully resistant to the ESC ceftriaxone, an essential drug for effective treatment of gonorrhea. We infer that the effective population sizes of both clades went into decline as treatment schemes shifted from fluoroquinolones via ESC monotherapy to dual therapy with ceftriaxone and azithromycin in Europe and the United States. Despite the inferred recent population size decline, the short evolutionary path from the penA 34.001 allele to alleles providing full ceftriaxone resistance is a cause of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus N Osnes
- Division of Infectious Disease Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lucy van Dorp
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ola B Brynildsrud
- Division of Infectious Disease Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristian Alfsnes
- Division of Infectious Disease Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thamarai Schneiders
- Division of Infection Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kate E Templeton
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Koji Yahara
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Francois Balloux
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dominique A Caugant
- Division of Infectious Disease Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vegard Eldholm
- Division of Infectious Disease Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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23
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Yahara K, Ma KC, Mortimer TD, Shimuta K, Nakayama SI, Hirabayashi A, Suzuki M, Jinnai M, Ohya H, Kuroki T, Watanabe Y, Yasuda M, Deguchi T, Eldholm V, Harrison OB, Maiden MCJ, Grad YH, Ohnishi M. Emergence and evolution of antimicrobial resistance genes and mutations in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Genome Med 2021; 13:51. [PMID: 33785063 PMCID: PMC8008663 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00860-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a global health concern. Strains from two internationally circulating sequence types, ST-7363 and ST-1901, have acquired resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, mainly due to mosaic penA alleles. These two STs were first detected in Japan; however, the timeline, mechanism, and process of emergence and spread of these mosaic penA alleles to other countries remain unknown. METHODS We studied the evolution of penA alleles by obtaining the complete genomes from three Japanese ST-1901 clinical isolates harboring mosaic penA allele 34 (penA-34) dating from 2005 and generating a phylogenetic representation of 1075 strains sampled from 35 countries. We also sequenced the genomes of 103 Japanese ST-7363 N. gonorrhoeae isolates from 1996 to 2005 and reconstructed a phylogeny including 88 previously sequenced genomes. RESULTS Based on an estimate of the time-of-emergence of ST-1901 (harboring mosaic penA-34) and ST-7363 (harboring mosaic penA-10), and > 300 additional genome sequences of Japanese strains representing multiple STs isolated in 1996-2015, we suggest that penA-34 in ST-1901 was generated from penA-10 via recombination with another Neisseria species, followed by recombination with a gonococcal strain harboring wildtype penA-1. Following the acquisition of penA-10 in ST-7363, a dominant sub-lineage rapidly acquired fluoroquinolone resistance mutations at GyrA 95 and ParC 87-88, by independent mutations rather than horizontal gene transfer. Data in the literature suggest that the emergence of these resistance determinants may reflect selection from the standard treatment regimens in Japan at that time. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight how antibiotic use and recombination across and within Neisseria species intersect in driving the emergence and spread of drug-resistant gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Yahara
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kevin C Ma
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tatum D Mortimer
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ken Shimuta
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shu-Ichi Nakayama
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aki Hirabayashi
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masato Suzuki
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michio Jinnai
- Department of Microbiology, Kanagawa Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Chigasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hitomi Ohya
- Department of Microbiology, Kanagawa Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Chigasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Toshiro Kuroki
- Department of Microbiology, Kanagawa Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Chigasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
- Present address: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, 1-3 Ikoinooka, Imabari, Ehime, 794-8555, Japan
| | - Yuko Watanabe
- Department of Microbiology, Kanagawa Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Chigasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Yasuda
- Center for Nutrition Support and Infection Control, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takashi Deguchi
- Department of Urology, Kizawa Memorial Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | - Vegard Eldholm
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Yonatan H Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Makoto Ohnishi
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
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24
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Town K, Harris S, Sánchez-Busó L, Cole MJ, Pitt R, Fifer H, Mohammed H, Field N, Hughes G. Genomic and Phenotypic Variability in Neisseria gonorrhoeae Antimicrobial Susceptibility, England. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 26:505-515. [PMID: 32091356 PMCID: PMC7045833 DOI: 10.3201/eid2603.190732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a global concern. Phylogenetic analyses resolve uncertainties regarding genetic relatedness of isolates with identical phenotypes and inform whether AMR is due to new mutations and clonal expansion or separate introductions by importation. We sequenced 1,277 isolates with associated epidemiologic and antimicrobial susceptibility data collected during 2013–2016 to investigate N. gonorrhoeae genomic variability in England. Comparing genetic markers and phenotypes for AMR, we identified 2 N. gonorrhoeae lineages with different antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and 3 clusters with elevated MICs for ceftriaxone, varying mutations in the penA allele, and different epidemiologic characteristics. Our results indicate N. gonorrhoeae with reduced antimicrobial susceptibility emerged independently and multiple times in different sexual networks in England, through new mutation or recombination events and by importation. Monitoring and control for AMR in N. gonorrhoeae should cover the entire population affected, rather than focusing on specific risk groups or locations.
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25
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Vegvari C, Grad YH, White PJ, Didelot X, Whittles LK, Scangarella-Oman NE, Mitrani-Gold FS, Dumont E, Perry CR, Gilchrist K, Hossain M, Mortimer TD, Anderson RM, Gardiner D. Using rapid point-of-care tests to inform antibiotic choice to mitigate drug resistance in gonorrhoea. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 25. [PMID: 33124551 PMCID: PMC7596916 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2020.25.43.1900210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background The first cases of extensively drug resistant gonorrhoea were recorded in the United Kingdom in 2018. There is a public health need for strategies on how to deploy existing and novel antibiotics to minimise the risk of resistance development. As rapid point-of-care tests (POCTs) to predict susceptibility are coming to clinical use, coupling the introduction of an antibiotic with diagnostics that can slow resistance emergence may offer a novel paradigm for maximising antibiotic benefits. Gepotidacin is a novel antibiotic with known resistance and resistance-predisposing mutations. In particular, a mutation that confers resistance to ciprofloxacin acts as the ‘stepping-stone’ mutation to gepotidacin resistance. Aim To investigate how POCTs detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae resistance mutations for ciprofloxacin and gepotidacin can be used to minimise the risk of resistance development to gepotidacin. Methods We use individual-based stochastic simulations to formally investigate the aim. Results The level of testing needed to reduce the risk of resistance development depends on the mutation rate under treatment and the prevalence of stepping-stone mutations. A POCT is most effective if the mutation rate under antibiotic treatment is no more than two orders of magnitude above the mutation rate without treatment and the prevalence of stepping-stone mutations is 1–13%. Conclusion Mutation frequencies and rates should be considered when estimating the POCT usage required to reduce the risk of resistance development in a given population. Molecular POCTs for resistance mutations and stepping-stone mutations to resistance are likely to become important tools in antibiotic stewardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Vegvari
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States
| | - Peter J White
- Modelling and Economics Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom.,MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Modelling and Health Economics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Xavier Didelot
- Current affiliation: School of Life Sciences and Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, United Kingdom.,MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Modelling and Health Economics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lilith K Whittles
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Modelling and Health Economics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Etienne Dumont
- GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, United States
| | | | - Kim Gilchrist
- Current affiliation: Pfizer, Inc, Pennsylvania, United States.,GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, United States
| | | | - Tatum D Mortimer
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States
| | - Roy M Anderson
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Gardiner
- GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, United States
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26
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Aitolo GL, Adeyemi OS, Afolabi BL, Owolabi AO. Neisseria gonorrhoeae Antimicrobial Resistance: Past to Present to Future. Curr Microbiol 2021; 78:867-878. [PMID: 33528603 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-021-02353-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus) is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes gonorrhoea-a sexually transmitted disease. This gonococcus has progressively developed resistance to most of the available antimicrobials. Only a few countries around the world have been able to run extensive surveillance programmes on gonococcal infection and antimicrobial resistance, raising a global concern. Thus, this review focuses on the mechanisms of resistance to recommended antimicrobials in the past and present time. The approaches by the scientific community in the development of novel technologies such as whole-genome sequencing to predict antimicrobial resistance, track gonococcal transmission, as well as, introduce new therapeutics like Solithromycin, Zoliflodacin, and Gepotidacin were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina L Aitolo
- Department of Microbiology, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.
| | - Oluyomi S Adeyemi
- Professor of Biochemistry Medicinal Biochemistry, Infectious Diseases, Nanomedicine & Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria
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27
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Pinto M, Borges V, Isidro J, Rodrigues JC, Vieira L, Borrego MJ, Gomes JP. Neisseria gonorrhoeae clustering to reveal major European whole-genome-sequencing-based genogroups in association with antimicrobial resistance. Microb Genom 2021; 7:000481. [PMID: 33245688 PMCID: PMC8208699 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhoea, has shown an extraordinary ability to develop antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to multiple classes of antimicrobials. With no available vaccine, managing N. gonorrhoeae infections demands effective preventive measures, antibiotic treatment and epidemiological surveillance. The latter two are progressively being supported by the generation of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data on behalf of national and international surveillance programmes. In this context, this study aims to perform N. gonorrhoeae clustering into genogroups based on WGS data, for enhanced prospective laboratory surveillance. Particularly, it aims to identify the major circulating WGS-genogroups in Europe and to establish a relationship between these and AMR. Ultimately, it enriches public databases by contributing with WGS data from Portuguese isolates spanning 15 years of surveillance. A total of 3791 carefully inspected N. gonorrhoeae genomes from isolates collected across Europe were analysed using a gene-by-gene approach (i.e. using cgMLST). Analysis of cluster composition and stability allowed the classification of isolates into a two-step hierarchical genogroup level determined by two allelic distance thresholds revealing cluster stability. Genogroup clustering in general agreed with available N. gonorrhoeae typing methods [i.e. MLST (multilocus sequence typing), NG-MAST (N. gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing) and PubMLST core-genome groups], highlighting the predominant genogroups circulating in Europe, and revealed that the vast majority of the genogroups present a dominant AMR profile. Additionally, a non-static gene-by-gene approach combined with a more discriminatory threshold for potential epidemiological linkage enabled us to match data with previous reports on outbreaks or transmission chains. In conclusion, this genogroup assignment allows a comprehensive analysis of N. gonorrhoeae genetic diversity and the identification of the WGS-based genogroups circulating in Europe, while facilitating the assessment (and continuous monitoring) of their frequency, geographical dispersion and potential association with specific AMR signatures. This strategy may benefit public-health actions through the prioritization of genogroups to be controlled, the identification of emerging resistance carriage, and the potential facilitation of data sharing and communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Pinto
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vítor Borges
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Isidro
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Carlos Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Vieira
- Technology and Innovation Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
- Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), Genetics, Oncology and Human Toxicology, Nova Medical School/Faculty of Medical Sciences, New University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria José Borrego
- Reference Laboratory of Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
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28
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Kersh EN, Allen V, Ransom E, Schmerer M, Cyr S, Workowski K, Weinstock H, Patel J, Ferraro MJ. Rationale for a Neisseria gonorrhoeae Susceptible-only Interpretive Breakpoint for Azithromycin. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 70:798-804. [PMID: 30963175 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Azithromycin (AZI) is recommended with ceftriaxone (CRO) for treatment of uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis in the United States, and an AZI-susceptibility breakpoint is needed. Neither the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) has set interpretive breakpoints for AZI susceptibility. As a result, AZI antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) cannot be interpreted using recognized standards. This has contributed to increasingly unavailable clinical laboratory AST, although gonorrhea is on the rise with >550 000 US gonorrhea cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2017, the highest number of cases since 1991. METHODS This article summarizes the rationale data reviewed by the CLSI in June 2018. RESULTS The CLSI decided to set a susceptible-only interpretive breakpoint at the minimum inhibitory concentration of ≤1 µg/mL. This is also the epidemiological cutoff value (ECV) (ie, the end of the wild-type susceptibility distribution). This breakpoint presumes that AZI (1-g single dose) is used in an approved regimen that includes an additional antimicrobial agent (ie, CRO 250 mg, intramuscular single dose). CONCLUSIONS Having a breakpoint can improve patient care and surveillance and allow future development and FDA regulatory approval of modernized AST to guide treatment. The breakpoint coincides with a European Committee on AST decision to remove previously established, differing AZI breakpoints and use the ECV as guidance for testing. The CLSI breakpoint is now the recognized standard that defines AZI susceptibility for gonococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen N Kersh
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Eric Ransom
- Association of Public Health Laboratories, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Matthew Schmerer
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sancta Cyr
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kim Workowski
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.,Emory University, Department of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hillard Weinstock
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jean Patel
- Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mary Jane Ferraro
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston.,Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
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29
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Osnes MN, Didelot X, de Korne-Elenbaas J, Alfsnes K, Brynildsrud OB, Syversen G, Nilsen ØJ, De Blasio BF, Caugant DA, Eldholm V. Sudden emergence of a Neisseria gonorrhoeae clade with reduced susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, Norway. Microb Genom 2020; 6:mgen000480. [PMID: 33200978 PMCID: PMC8116678 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae multilocus sequence type (ST)-7827 emerged in a dramatic fashion in Norway in the period 2016-2018. Here, we aim to shed light on the provenance and expansion of this ST. ST-7827 was found to be polyphyletic, but the majority of members belonged to a monophyletic clade we termed PopPUNK cluster 7827 (PC-7827). In Norway, both PC-7827 and ST-7827 isolates were almost exclusively isolated from men. Phylogeographical analyses demonstrated an Asian origin of the genogroup, with multiple inferred exports to Europe and the USA. The genogroup was uniformly resistant to fluoroquinolones, and associated with reduced susceptibility to both azithromycin and the extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) cefixime and ceftriaxone. From a genetic background including the penA allele 13.001, associated with reduced ESC susceptibility, we identified repeated events of acquisition of porB alleles associated with further reduction in ceftriaxone susceptibility. Transmission of the strain was significantly reduced in Norway in 2019, but our results indicate the existence of a recently established global reservoir. The worrisome drug-resistance profile and rapid emergence of PC-7827 calls for close monitoring of the situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus N. Osnes
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Xavier Didelot
- School of Life Sciences and Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Kristian Alfsnes
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ola B. Brynildsrud
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gaute Syversen
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
| | - Øivind Jul Nilsen
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Birgitte Freiesleben De Blasio
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dominique A. Caugant
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- AMR Centre, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vegard Eldholm
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- AMR Centre, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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30
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Harrison OB, Cehovin A, Skett J, Jolley KA, Massari P, Genco CA, Tang CM, Maiden MCJ. Neisseria gonorrhoeae Population Genomics: Use of the Gonococcal Core Genome to Improve Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance. J Infect Dis 2020; 222:1816-1825. [PMID: 32163580 PMCID: PMC7653085 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gonorrhea, caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is a globally prevalent sexually transmitted infection. The dynamics of gonococcal population biology have been poorly defined due to a lack of resolution in strain typing methods. METHODS In this study, we assess how the core genome can be used to improve our understanding of gonococcal population structure compared with current typing schemes. RESULTS A total of 1668 loci were identified as core to the gonococcal genome. These were organized into a core genome multilocus sequence typing scheme (N gonorrhoeae cgMLST v1.0). A clustering algorithm using a threshold of 400 allelic differences between isolates resolved gonococci into discrete and stable core genome groups, some of which persisted for multiple decades. These groups were associated with antimicrobial genotypes and non-overlapping NG-STAR and NG-MAST sequence types. The MLST-STs were more widely distributed among core genome groups. CONCLUSIONS Clustering with cgMLST identified globally distributed, persistent, gonococcal lineages improving understanding of the population biology of gonococci and revealing its population structure. These findings have implications for the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in gonococci and how this is associated with lineages, some of which are more predisposed to developing antimicrobial resistance than others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odile B Harrison
- Department of Zoology, The Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Cehovin
- The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Skett
- Department of Zoology, The Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Keith A Jolley
- Department of Zoology, The Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Massari
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Caroline Attardo Genco
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christoph M Tang
- The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C J Maiden
- Department of Zoology, The Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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31
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Cehovin A, Jolley KA, Maiden MCJ, Harrison OB, Tang CM. Association of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Plasmids With Distinct Lineages and The Economic Status of Their Country of Origin. J Infect Dis 2020; 222:1826-1836. [PMID: 32163577 PMCID: PMC7653084 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmids are vehicles for horizontal gene transfer between bacteria, and in Neisseria gonorrhoeae plasmids can mediate high-level antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Using genomic and phylogenetic analyses, we show that plasmids are widespread in a collection of 3724 gonococcal isolates from 56 countries, and characterized the conjugative, β-lactamase and cryptic plasmids. We found that variants of the conjugative plasmid (which can mediate tetracycline resistance) and the β-lactamase plasmid expressing TEM-135 are associated with distinct gonococcal lineages. Furthermore, AMR plasmids are significantly more prevalent in gonococci from less wealthy countries, highlighting the need for further studies. More than 94% of gonococci possess the cryptic plasmid, with its absence correlated with the presence of a novel chromosomal type IV secretion system. Our results reveal the extent of plasmid-mediated AMR in the gonococcus, particularly in less wealthy countries, where diagnostic and therapeutic options can be limited, and highlight the risk of their global spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cehovin
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Keith A Jolley
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Odile B Harrison
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christoph M Tang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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32
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Dong Y, Yang Y, Wang Y, Martin I, Demczuk W, Gu W. Shanghai Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates Exhibit Resistance to Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporins and Clonal Distribution. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:580399. [PMID: 33123111 PMCID: PMC7573285 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.580399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains with resistance (R) to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCsR) represents a public health threat of untreatable gonococcal infections. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and molecular mechanisms of ESCR of Shanghai N. gonorrhoeae isolates. A total of 366 N. gonorrhoeae isolates were collected in 2017 in Shanghai. Susceptibility to ceftriaxone (CRO), cefixime (CFM), azithromycin (AZM), ciprofloxacin (CIP), spectinomycin, penicillin, and tetracycline was determined using the agar dilution method. A subset of 124 isolates was subjected to phylogenetic analysis for nine antimicrobial resistance-associated genes, i.e., penA, porB, ponA, mtrR, 23S rRNA, gyrA, parC, 16S rRNA, and rpsE. Approximately 20.0% of the isolates exhibited CFMR [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) >0.125 mg/L], and 5.5% were CROR (MIC > 0.125 mg/L). In total, 72.7% of ESCR isolates were clonal and associated with mosaic penA 10 and 60 alleles. Non-mosaic penA 18 allele and substitutions of PenA A501T, G542S, and PorB1b G213S/Y were observed in non-clonal ESCR. Approximately 6.8% of the isolates showed AZM MIC above the epidemiological cutoff (ECOFF, 1 mg/L), were associated with 23S rRNA A2059G mutation, and did not exhibit clonal distribution. Almost all isolates were CIPR (resistance to ciprofloxacin) and associated with GyrA-91/92 and ParC-85/86/87/88/89/91 alterations. Isolates with ParC S88P substitution were clustered into the ESCR clade. The Shanghai isolates exhibited a high level of ESCR and distinct resistant patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Dong
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
| | - Irene Martin
- Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Walter Demczuk
- Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Weiming Gu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Shanghai, China
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33
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Antimicrobial Resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates from High-Risk Men in Johannesburg, South Africa. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00906-20. [PMID: 32868325 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00906-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial drug resistance has emerged worldwide; however, the situation in sub-Saharan Africa is not well documented. We investigated the molecular epidemiology and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections in two core transmission groups of men in Johannesburg, South Africa. We recruited men who have sex with men (MSM) presenting with urethral discharge and men with recurrent episodes of urethral discharge. Molecular testing and culture for N. gonorrhoeae were performed, followed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used to identify resistance-conferring mutations and to determine the genetic relatedness of the isolates. In all, 51 men were recruited; 42 (82%) had N. gonorrhoeae infections. Most gonococcal isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (78%) and tetracycline (74%); 33% were penicillin resistant. All gonococcal isolates were susceptible to cephalosporins and spectinomycin. Azithromycin resistance was observed in 4 (15%) isolates (epidemiological cutoff), all with mutations in the mtrR promoter region. Most of the isolates (19/27) harbored the gonococcal genetic island, which is associated with antimicrobial resistance. WGS revealed a diverse epidemic with mostly novel NG-STAR (70%) and NG-MAST (70%) sequence types. Thus, we demonstrate a high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains obtained from high-risk men in South Africa. The introduction of diagnostics and scale-up of surveillance are warranted to prevent the emergence of multidrug-resistant infections.
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Kirkcaldy RD, Weston E, Segurado AC, Hughes G. Epidemiology of gonorrhoea: a global perspective. Sex Health 2020; 16:401-411. [PMID: 31505159 DOI: 10.1071/sh19061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although understanding the local epidemiology of gonorrhoea is critical for local efforts, understanding the multinational epidemiology may support development of national and international prevention and control policies and strategies. In this paper, current epidemiology of gonorrhoea is reviewed through an international lens and with a focus on selected populations. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that ~87 million new gonococcal infections occurred among people aged 15-49 years in 2016. Gonorrhoea rates are rising in many countries. Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, racial or ethnic minorities, Indigenous populations and sex workers appear to bear disproportionate burdens of gonorrhoea. International travel can facilitate spread of gonorrhoea, including resistant strains, across international borders. Critical gaps in epidemiological knowledge are highlighted, including data on gonorrhoea among transgender persons and the burden of extragenital gonorrhoea. Even as further data are gathered, action - informed by currently available data - is needed now to confront this growing international threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Kirkcaldy
- Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; and Corresponding author.
| | - Emily Weston
- Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Aluisio C Segurado
- Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 455, 01246-903 São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Gwenda Hughes
- Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 455, 01246-903 São Paulo-SP, Brazil; and HIV & STI Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
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35
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Buckley C, Beatson SA, Limnios A, Lahra MM, Whiley DM, Forde BM. Whole-genome sequencing as an improved means of investigating Neisseria gonorrhoeae treatment failures. Sex Health 2020; 16:500-507. [PMID: 31481151 DOI: 10.1071/sh19012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Although rare, Neisseria gonorrhoeae treatment failures associated with ceftriaxone have been reported. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends standardised protocols to verify these cases. Two cases from Australia were previously investigated using N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST), which has been used extensively to assess treatment failures. Case 1 pharyngeal isolates were indistinguishable, whereas Case 2 pharyngeal isolates were distinguished based on an 18-bp deletion in the major outer membrane porin encoded by the porB gene, questioning the reliability of NG-MAST results. Here we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to reinvestigate Cases 1 and 2, with a view to examining WGS to assess treatment failures. METHODS Pre- and post-treatment isolates for each case underwent Illumina sequencing, and the two post-treatment isolates underwent additional long-read sequencing using Pacific Biosciences. Sequence data were interrogated to identify differences at single nucleotide resolution. RESULTS WGS identified variation in the pilin subunit encoded by the pilE locus for both cases and the specific 18-bp porB deletion in Case 2 was confirmed, but otherwise the isolates in each case were indistinguishable. CONCLUSIONS The WHO recommends standardised protocols for verifying N. gonorrhoeae treatment failures. Case 2 highlights the enhanced resolution of WGS over NG-MAST and emphasises the immediate effect that WGS can have in a direct clinical application for N. gonorrhoeae. Assessing the whole genome compared with two highly variable regions also provides a more confident predictor for determining treatment failure. Furthermore, WGS facilitates rapid comparisons of these cases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Buckley
- Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia
| | - Scott A Beatson
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia; and Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia; and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Athena Limnios
- WHO Collaborating Centre for STI and AMR, Microbiology Department, New South Wales Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Monica M Lahra
- WHO Collaborating Centre for STI and AMR, Microbiology Department, New South Wales Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; and School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - David M Whiley
- Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia; and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia; and Pathology Queensland, Microbiology Department, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia
| | - Brian M Forde
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia; and Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia; and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia; and Corresponding author:
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36
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Hanrahan JK, Hogan TR, Buckley C, Trembizki E, Mitchell H, Lau CL, Whiley DM, Lahra MM. Emergence and spread of ciprofloxacin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in New South Wales, Australia: lessons from history. J Antimicrob Chemother 2020; 74:2214-2219. [PMID: 31170281 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our aim was to investigate the emergence and spread of ciprofloxacin resistance in clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in New South Wales, Australia, from the first reported case in 1991 until ciprofloxacin resistance was sustained at or above the WHO threshold for treatment change of 5% (1999), to inform future strategies for controlling gonococcal antimicrobial resistance. METHODS The index isolate and all subsequent clinical isolates of ciprofloxacin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae in New South Wales from 1991 to 1999 were genotyped using a previously described method on the Agena MassARRAY iPLEX platform. Region of acquisition data, where available, were used to determine whether cases were travel associated. RESULTS In New South Wales, of the 325 ciprofloxacin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae isolates reported from 1991 to 1999, 98% (320/325) were able to be recovered and 100% (320/320) were genotyped. There were 66 different genotypes, comprising 1-99 isolates each. Notably no single clone was found to account for ciprofloxacin resistance being sustained in the population, with considerable variability in genotype prevalence observed throughout the study period. A total of 65% (209/320) of genotyped isolates had information regarding the likely place of acquisition; of these, 44% (93/209) were associated with overseas travel or sexual contact with an overseas visitor. The first ciprofloxacin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae in New South Wales was associated with travel to Thailand. Index cases of each resistant genotype were significantly more likely to have been acquired overseas (51.5%), predominantly in Asia (45%, 30/66). CONCLUSIONS The continued importation of multiple genotypes, rather than the expansion of a single genotype, led to ciprofloxacin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae being established in New South Wales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane K Hanrahan
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, NSWHP Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2031, Australia.,School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052
| | - Tiffany R Hogan
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, NSWHP Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2031, Australia
| | - Cameron Buckley
- Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Ella Trembizki
- Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Hazel Mitchell
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052
| | - Colleen L Lau
- Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - David M Whiley
- Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia.,Pathology Queensland, Microbiology Department, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Monica M Lahra
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, NSWHP Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2031, Australia.,School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052
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37
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Mortimer TD, Pathela P, Crawley A, Rakeman JL, Lin Y, Harris SR, Blank S, Schillinger JA, Grad YH. The distribution and spread of susceptible and resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae across demographic groups in a major metropolitan center. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 73:e3146-e3155. [PMID: 32829411 PMCID: PMC8563204 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genomic epidemiology studies of gonorrhea in the United States have primarily focused on national surveillance for antibiotic resistance, and patterns of local transmission between demographic groups of resistant and susceptible strains are unknown. Methods We analyzed a convenience sample of genome sequences, antibiotic susceptibility, and patient data from 897 gonococcal isolates cultured at the New York City (NYC) Public Health Laboratory from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Sexual Health Clinic (SHC) patients, primarily in 2012–2013. We reconstructed the gonococcal phylogeny, defined transmission clusters using a 10 nonrecombinant single nucleotide polymorphism threshold, tested for clustering of demographic groups, and placed NYC isolates in a global phylogenetic context. Results The NYC gonococcal phylogeny reflected global diversity with isolates from 22/23 of the prevalent global lineages (96%). Isolates clustered on the phylogeny by patient sexual behavior (P < .001) and race/ethnicity (P < .001). Minimum inhibitory concentrations were higher across antibiotics in isolates from men who have sex with men compared to heterosexuals (P < .001) and white heterosexuals compared to black heterosexuals (P < .01). In our dataset, all large transmission clusters (≥10 samples) of N. gonorrhoeae were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and azithromycin, and comprised isolates from patients across demographic groups. Conclusions All large transmission clusters were susceptible to gonorrhea therapies, suggesting that resistance to empiric therapy was not a main driver of spread, even as risk for resistance varied across demographic groups. Further study of local transmission networks is needed to identify drivers of transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatum D Mortimer
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
| | - Preeti Pathela
- Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Infections, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City, United States of America
| | - Addie Crawley
- Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Infections, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L Rakeman
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratory, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City, United States of America
| | - Ying Lin
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratory, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City, United States of America
| | - Simon R Harris
- Microbiotica Ltd, Biodata Innovation Centre, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Blank
- Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Infections, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City, United States of America.,Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, United States of America
| | - Julia A Schillinger
- Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Infections, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City, United States of America.,Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, United States of America
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
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Ma KC, Mortimer TD, Hicks AL, Wheeler NE, Sánchez-Busó L, Golparian D, Taiaroa G, Rubin DHF, Wang Y, Williamson DA, Unemo M, Harris SR, Grad YH. Adaptation to the cervical environment is associated with increased antibiotic susceptibility in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4126. [PMID: 32807804 PMCID: PMC7431566 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17980-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent public health threat due to rapidly increasing incidence and antibiotic resistance. In contrast with the trend of increasing resistance, clinical isolates that have reverted to susceptibility regularly appear, prompting questions about which pressures compete with antibiotics to shape gonococcal evolution. Here, we used genome-wide association to identify loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in the efflux pump mtrCDE operon as a mechanism of increased antibiotic susceptibility and demonstrate that these mutations are overrepresented in cervical relative to urethral isolates. This enrichment holds true for LOF mutations in another efflux pump, farAB, and in urogenitally-adapted versus typical N. meningitidis, providing evidence for a model in which expression of these pumps in the female urogenital tract incurs a fitness cost for pathogenic Neisseria. Overall, our findings highlight the impact of integrating microbial population genomics with host metadata and demonstrate how host environmental pressures can lead to increased antibiotic susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Ma
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tatum D Mortimer
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allison L Hicks
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole E Wheeler
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Leonor Sánchez-Busó
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, Swedish Reference Laboratory for STIs, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - George Taiaroa
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel H F Rubin
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, Swedish Reference Laboratory for STIs, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Simon R Harris
- Microbiotica Ltd, Biodata Innovation Centre, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Gianecini RA, Golparian D, Zittermann S, Litvik A, Gonzalez S, Oviedo C, Melano RG, Unemo M, Galarza P. Genome-based epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance determinants of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates with decreased susceptibility and resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins in Argentina in 2011-16. J Antimicrob Chemother 2020; 74:1551-1559. [PMID: 30820563 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our aim was to describe the molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance determinants of isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with decreased susceptibility and resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) in Argentina in 2011-16. METHODS Gonococcal isolates (n=158) with decreased susceptibility and resistance to ESCs collected in 2011-16 across Argentina were subjected to WGS and antimicrobial susceptibility testing for six antimicrobials. RESULTS In total, 50% of the isolates were resistant to cefixime, 1.9% were resistant to ceftriaxone, 37.3% were resistant to azithromycin and 63.9% of the isolates showed an MDR phenotype. Resistance and decreased susceptibility to ESCs was mainly associated with isolates possessing the mosaic penA-34.001, in combination with an mtrR promoter A deletion, and PorB1b amino acid substitutions G120K/A121N. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two main clades of circulating strains, which were associated with the N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) ST1407 and closely related STs, and characterized by a high prevalence rate, wide geographical distribution and temporal persistence. CONCLUSIONS N. gonorrhoeae isolates with decreased susceptibility and resistance to ESCs in Argentina have emerged and rapidly spread mainly due to two clonal expansions after importation of one or two strains, which are associated with the international MDR NG-MAST ST1407 clone. The identification of the geographical dissemination and characteristics of these predominant clones may help to focus action plans and public health policies to control the spread of ESC resistance in Argentina. Dual antimicrobial therapy (ceftriaxone plus azithromycin) for gonorrhoea needs to be considered in Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A Gianecini
- National Reference Laboratory of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, National Institute of Infectious Diseases - ANLIS 'Dr Carlos G. Malbrán', Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel Golparian
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | | | - Ana Litvik
- Rawson Infectious Diseases Hospital, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | - Claudia Oviedo
- National Reference Laboratory of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, National Institute of Infectious Diseases - ANLIS 'Dr Carlos G. Malbrán', Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Patricia Galarza
- National Reference Laboratory of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, National Institute of Infectious Diseases - ANLIS 'Dr Carlos G. Malbrán', Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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40
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Hess J, Kohl T, Kotrová M, Rönsch K, Paprotka T, Mohr V, Hutzenlaub T, Brüggemann M, Zengerle R, Niemann S, Paust N. Library preparation for next generation sequencing: A review of automation strategies. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 41:107537. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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41
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Determining antimicrobial resistance profiles and identifying novel mutations of Neisseria gonorrhoeae genomes obtained by multiplexed MinION sequencing. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 63:1063-1070. [PMID: 31784935 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-019-1558-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. To cure infection and prevent transmission, timely and appropriate antimicrobial therapy is necessary. Unfortunately, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the etiological agent of gonorrhea, has acquired nearly all known mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), thereby compromising the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy. Treatment failure resulting from AMR has become a global public health concern. Whole-genome sequencing is an effective method to determine the AMR characteristics of N. gonorrhoeae. Compared with next-generation sequencing, the MinION sequencer (Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT)) has the advantages of long read length and portability. Based on a pilot study using MinION to sequence the genome of N. gonorrhoeae, we optimized the workflow of sequencing and data analysis in the current study. Here we sequenced nine isolates within one flow cell using a multiplexed sequencing strategy. After hybrid assembly with Illumina reads, nine integral circular chromosomes were obtained. By using the online tool Pathogenwatch and a BLAST-based workflow, we acquired complete AMR profiles related to seven classes of antibiotics. We also evaluated the performance of ONT-only assemblies. Most AMR determinants identified by ONT-only assemblies were the same as those identified by hybrid assemblies. Moreover, one of the nine assemblies indicated a potentially novel antimicrobial-related mutation located in mtrR which results in a frame-shift, premature stop codon, and truncated peptide. In addition, this is the first study using the MinION sequencer to obtain complete genome sequences of N. gonorrhoeae strains which are epidemic in China. This study shows that complete genome sequences and antimicrobial characteristics of N. gonorrhoeae can be obtained using the MinION sequencer in a simple and cost-effective manner, with hardly any knowledge of bioinformatics required. More importantly, this strategy provides us with a potential approach to discover new AMR determinants.
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42
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Hicks AL, Kissler SM, Mortimer TD, Ma KC, Taiaroa G, Ashcroft M, Williamson DA, Lipsitch M, Grad YH. Targeted surveillance strategies for efficient detection of novel antibiotic resistance variants. eLife 2020; 9:e56367. [PMID: 32602459 PMCID: PMC7326491 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Genotype-based diagnostics for antibiotic resistance represent a promising alternative to empiric therapy, reducing inappropriate antibiotic use. However, because such assays infer resistance based on known genetic markers, their utility will wane with the emergence of novel resistance. Maintenance of these diagnostics will therefore require surveillance to ensure early detection of novel resistance variants, but efficient strategies to do so remain undefined. We evaluate the efficiency of targeted sampling approaches informed by patient and pathogen characteristics in detecting antibiotic resistance and diagnostic escape variants in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a pathogen associated with a high burden of disease and antibiotic resistance and the development of genotype-based diagnostics. We show that patient characteristic-informed sampling is not a reliable strategy for efficient variant detection. In contrast, sampling informed by pathogen characteristics, such as genomic diversity and genomic background, is significantly more efficient than random sampling in identifying genetic variants associated with resistance and diagnostic escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison L Hicks
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
| | - Stephen M Kissler
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
| | - Tatum D Mortimer
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
| | - Kevin C Ma
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
| | - George Taiaroa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Melinda Ashcroft
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Marc Lipsitch
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
- Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
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43
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Boiko I, Golparian D, Jacobsson S, Krynytska I, Frankenberg A, Shevchenko T, Unemo M. Genomic epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance determinants of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
isolates from Ukraine, 2013–2018. APMIS 2020; 128:465-475. [DOI: 10.1111/apm.13060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Iryna Boiko
- Department of Functional and Laboratory Diagnostics I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University Ternopil Ukraine
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs National Reference Laboratory for STIs 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 STIs Department of Laboratory Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Örebro University Örebro Sweden
| | - Susanne Jacobsson
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs National Reference Laboratory for STIs Department of Laboratory Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Örebro University Örebro Sweden
| | - Inna Krynytska
- Department of Functional and Laboratory Diagnostics I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University Ternopil Ukraine
| | | | - Tetiana Shevchenko
- Department of General Medicine with a Course of Physical Therapy Faculty of Medical Technologies of Diagnostics and Rehabilitation Oles Honchar Dnipro National University Dnipro Ukraine
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs National Reference Laboratory for STIs Department of Laboratory Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Örebro University Örebro Sweden
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44
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Gen2EpiGUI: User-Friendly Pipeline for Analyzing Whole-Genome Sequencing Data for Epidemiological Studies of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Sex Transm Dis 2020; 47:e42-e44. [DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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45
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Town K, Field N, Harris SR, Sánchez-Busó L, Cole MJ, Pitt R, Fifer H, Mohammed H, Hughes G. Phylogenomic analysis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae transmission to assess sexual mixing and HIV transmission risk in England: a cross-sectional, observational, whole-genome sequencing study. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020; 20:478-486. [PMID: 31978353 PMCID: PMC7099395 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(19)30610-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Characterising sexual networks with transmission of sexually transmitted infections might allow identification of individuals at increased risk of infection. We aimed to investigate sexual mixing in Neisseria gonorrhoeae transmission networks between women, heterosexual men, and men who report sex with men (MSM), and between people with and without HIV. METHODS In this cross-sectional observational study, we whole-genome sequenced N gonorrhoeae isolates from the archive of the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP).w Isolates that varied by five single nucleotide polymorphisms or fewer were grouped into clusters that represented sexual networks with N gonorrhoeae transmission. Clusters were described by gender, sexual risk group, and HIV status. FINDINGS We sequenced 1277 N gonorrhoeae isolates with linked clinical and sociodemographic data that were collected in five clinics in England during 2013-16 (July 1 to Sept 30 in 2013-15; July 1 to Sept 9 in 2016). The isolates grouped into 213 clusters. 30 (14%) clusters contained isolates from heterosexual men and MSM but no women and three (1%) clusters contained isolates from only women and MSM. 146 (69%) clusters comprised solely people with negative or unknown HIV status and seven (3%) comprised only HIV-positive people. 60 (28%) clusters comprised MSM with positive and negative or unknown HIV status. INTERPRETATION N gonorrhoeae molecular data can provide information indicating risk of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections for some individuals for whom such risk might not be known from clinical history. These findings have implications for sexual health care, including offering testing, prevention advice, and preventive treatment, such as HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. FUNDING National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit; Wellcome; Public Health England.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy Town
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections, University College London, London, UK; Centre for Molecular Epidemiology and Translational Research, Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK; National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK.
| | - Nigel Field
- Centre for Molecular Epidemiology and Translational Research, Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Leonor Sánchez-Busó
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK; Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Michelle J Cole
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Rachel Pitt
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Helen Fifer
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Hamish Mohammed
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Gwenda Hughes
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections, University College London, London, UK; National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
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46
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Thomas JC, Seby S, Abrams AJ, Cartee J, Lucking S, Vidyaprakash E, Schmerer M, Pham CD, Hong J, Torrone E, Cyr SS, Shafer WM, Bernstein K, Kersh EN, Gernert KM. Evidence of Recent Genomic Evolution in Gonococcal Strains With Decreased Susceptibility to Cephalosporins or Azithromycin in the United States, 2014-2016. J Infect Dis 2020; 220:294-305. [PMID: 30788502 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the lack of new antimicrobials or a vaccine, understanding the evolutionary dynamics of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a significant public and global health priority. We investigated the emergence and spread of gonococcal strains with decreased susceptibility to cephalosporins and azithromycin using detailed genomic analyses of gonococcal isolates collected in the United States, 2014-2016. METHODS We sequenced genomes of 649 isolates collected through the Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project. We examined the genetic relatedness of isolates and assessed associations between clades and various genotypic and phenotypic combinations. RESULTS We identified a large and clonal lineage of strains (MLST ST9363) associated with elevated azithromycin minimum inhibitory concentration (AZIem), characterized by a mosaic mtr locus (C substitution in the mtrR promoter, mosaic mtrR and mtrD). Mutations in 23S rRNA were sporadically distributed among AZIem strains. Another clonal group (MLST ST1901) possessed 7 unique PBP2 patterns, and it shared common mutations in other genes associated with cephalosporin resistance. CONCLUSIONS Whole-genome sequencing methods can enhance monitoring of antimicrobial resistant gonococcal strains by identifying gonococcal populations containing mutations of concern. These methods could inform the development of point-of-care diagnostic tests designed to determine the specific antibiotic susceptibility profile of a gonococcal infection in a patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse C Thomas
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sandra Seby
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - A Jeanine Abrams
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jack Cartee
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sean Lucking
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Eshaw Vidyaprakash
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Matthew Schmerer
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Cau D Pham
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jaeyoung Hong
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Elizabeth Torrone
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sancta St Cyr
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - William M Shafer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,Laboratories of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia
| | - Kyle Bernstein
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ellen N Kersh
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kim M Gernert
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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47
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Van Dijck C, Laumen J, Zlotorzynska M, Manoharan-Basil SS, Kenyon C. Association between STI screening intensity in men who have sex with men and gonococcal susceptibility in 21 States in the USA: an ecological study. Sex Transm Infect 2020; 96:537-540. [PMID: 32066589 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2019-054313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Antimicrobial resistance is generally linked to antimicrobial selection pressure. Antimicrobial-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections frequently emerge in core groups. We hypothesised that these groups are more often exposed to antimicrobials as a consequence of the repeated treatment of both symptomatic and asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and that frequent STI screening in asymptomatic patients may contribute indirectly to antimicrobial exposure. In this study, we explored the ecological association between screening intensity in men who have sex with men and antimicrobial susceptibility in N. gonorrhoeae in the USA. METHODS Data on STI screening intensity came from the American Men's Internet Survey between October 2014 and March 2015. Data on gonococcal susceptibility to azithromycin, ceftriaxone and cefixime were used from the Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project in 2015. Spearman's correlation was used to determine the association between these two variables. RESULTS A positive ecological association was found between STI screening intensity and geometric mean gonococcal minimum inhibitory concentration for ceftriaxone (rho=0.42, p=0.031) and cefixime (rho=0.42, p=0.029), but not for azithromycin (rho=0.31, p=0.11). The above results must be interpreted with caution as many limitations apply. CONCLUSIONS Variation in STI screening intensity may contribute to differences in gonococcal resistance between States in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Van Dijck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jolein Laumen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maria Zlotorzynska
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Chris Kenyon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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48
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Golparian D, Harris SR, Sánchez-Busó L, Hoffmann S, Shafer WM, Bentley SD, Jensen JS, Unemo M. Genomic evolution of Neisseria gonorrhoeae since the preantibiotic era (1928-2013): antimicrobial use/misuse selects for resistance and drives evolution. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:116. [PMID: 32013864 PMCID: PMC6998845 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6511-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains are prevalent, threatening gonorrhoea treatment globally, and understanding of emergence, evolution, and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in gonococci remains limited. We describe the genomic evolution of gonococci and their AMR, related to the introduction of antimicrobial therapies, examining isolates from 1928 (preantibiotic era) to 2013 in Denmark. This is, to our knowledge, the oldest gonococcal collection globally. METHODS Lyophilised isolates were revived and examined using Etest (18 antimicrobials) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Quality-assured genome sequences were obtained for 191 viable and 40 non-viable isolates and analysed with multiple phylogenomic approaches. RESULTS Gonococcal AMR, including an accumulation of multiple AMR determinants, started to emerge particularly in the 1950s-1970s. By the twenty-first century, resistance to most antimicrobials was common. Despite that some AMR determinants affect many physiological functions and fitness, AMR determinants were mainly selected by the use/misuse of gonorrhoea therapeutic antimicrobials. Most AMR developed in strains belonging to one multidrug-resistant (MDR) clade with close to three times higher genomic mutation rate. Modern N. gonorrhoeae was inferred to have emerged in the late-1500s and its genome became increasingly conserved over time. CONCLUSIONS WGS of gonococci from 1928 to 2013 showed that no AMR determinants, except penB, were in detectable frequency before the introduction of gonorrhoea therapeutic antimicrobials. The modern gonococcus is substantially younger than previously hypothesized and has been evolving into a more clonal species, driven by the use/misuse of antimicrobials. The MDR gonococcal clade should be further investigated for early detection of strains with predispositions to develop and maintain MDR and for initiation of public health interventions.
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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-710 85, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Simon R Harris
- Microbiotica Ltd, Biodata Innovation Centre, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Leonor Sánchez-Busó
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
- Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Steen Hoffmann
- Infection Preparedness, Research Unit for Reproductive Tract Microbiology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - William M Shafer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Laboratories of Bacterial Pathogenesis, VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Stephen D Bentley
- Pathogen Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Jörgen S Jensen
- Infection Preparedness, Research Unit for Reproductive Tract Microbiology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - 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-710 85, Örebro, Sweden.
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49
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Arnold B, Sohail M, Wadsworth C, Corander J, Hanage WP, Sunyaev S, Grad YH. Fine-Scale Haplotype Structure Reveals Strong Signatures of Positive Selection in a Recombining Bacterial Pathogen. Mol Biol Evol 2020; 37:417-428. [PMID: 31589312 PMCID: PMC6993868 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying genetic variation in bacteria that has been shaped by ecological differences remains an important challenge. For recombining bacteria, the sign and strength of linkage provide a unique lens into ongoing selection. We show that derived alleles <300 bp apart in Neisseria gonorrhoeae exhibit more coupling linkage than repulsion linkage, a pattern that cannot be explained by limited recombination or neutrality as these couplings are significantly stronger for nonsynonymous alleles than synonymous alleles. This general pattern is driven by a small fraction of highly diverse genes, many of which exhibit evidence of interspecies horizontal gene transfer and an excess of intermediate frequency alleles. Extensive simulations show that two distinct forms of positive selection can create these patterns of genetic variation: directional selection on horizontally transferred alleles or balancing selection that maintains distinct haplotypes in the presence of recombination. Our results establish a framework for identifying patterns of selection in fine-scale haplotype structure that indicate specific ecological processes in species that recombine with distantly related lineages or possess coexisting adaptive haplotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Arnold
- Division of Informatics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
- Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Mashaal Sohail
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Crista Wadsworth
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Jukka Corander
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Computer Science, Helsinki Institute for Information Technology HIIT, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - William P Hanage
- Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Shamil Sunyaev
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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50
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Parmar NR, Perera SR, Wang J, Levett PN, Minion J, Dillon JAR. Characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes from Neisseria gonorrhoeae positive remnant Aptima urine specimens. Future Microbiol 2020; 14:1559-1571. [PMID: 31992068 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To ascertain the antimicrobial resistance and strain types (STs) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from 50 remnant Aptima urine specimens using molecular methods. Methods: Mutations predictive of resistance to six antibiotics were identified in eight genes. STs were determined using NG-MAST and NG-STAR. Results: All eight antimicrobial resistance genes could be characterized in 36 specimens. A total of 17 specimens were predicted to be susceptible to all antibiotics, including ceftriaxone. Decreased susceptibility to cefixime and ciprofloxacin resistance was predicted in 11 specimens (PBP2 type 34.001). Overall, 38/50 specimens were predicted to be ciprofloxacin susceptible; three were azithromycin resistant. Nineteen NG-MAST and 21 NG-STAR STs were noted. Conclusion: Molecular analysis of remnant Aptima specimens enabled the prediction of emerging gonococcal cefixime and azithromycin resistance which would otherwise have been undetected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi R Parmar
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, & Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.,Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3, Canada
| | - Sumudu R Perera
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, & Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.,Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3, Canada
| | - Jin Wang
- Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3, Canada
| | - Paul N Levett
- Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory, 5 Research Drive, Regina, SK, S4S 0A4, Canada
| | - Jessica Minion
- Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory, 5 Research Drive, Regina, SK, S4S 0A4, Canada
| | - Jo-Anne R Dillon
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, & Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.,Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3, Canada
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