Title
The Molecular Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Australia: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study, 2012.
Link to article in PubMed
Author(s)
Trembizki, Ella
Wand, Handan
Donovan, Basil
Chen, Marcus
Fairley, Christopher K
Guy, Rebecca
Kaldor, John M
Lahra, Monica M
Lawrence, Andrew
Lau, Colleen
Pearson, Julie
Regan, David G
Ryder, Nathan
Smith, Helen
Stevens, Kerrie
Su, Jiunn-Yih
Ward, James
Whiley, David M
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by Neisseria gonorrhoeae is considered a serious global threat. In this nationwide study, we used MassARRAY iPLEX genotyping technology to examine the epidemiology of N. gonorrhoeae and associated AMR in the Australian population. All available N. gonorrhoeae isolates (n = 2452) received from Australian reference laboratories from January to June 2012 were included in the study. Genotypic data were combined with phenotypic AMR information to define strain types. A total of 270 distinct strain types were observed. The 40 most common strain types accounted for over 80% of isolates, and the 10 most common strain types accounted for almost half of all isolates. The high male to female ratios (>94% male) suggested that at least 22 of the top 40 strain types were primarily circulating within networks of men who have sex with men (MSM). Particular strain types were also concentrated among females: two strain types accounted for 37.5% of all isolates from females. Isolates harbouring the mosaic penicillin binding protein 2 (PBP2)-considered a key mechanism for cephalosporin resistance-comprised 8.9% of all N. gonorrhoeae isolates and were primarily observed in males (95%). This large scale epidemiological investigation demonstrated that N. gonorrhoeae infections are dominated by relatively few strain types. The commonest strain types were concentrated in MSM in urban areas and Indigenous heterosexuals in remote areas, and we were able to confirm a resurgent epidemic in heterosexual networks in urban areas. The prevalence of mosaic PBP2 harboring N. gonorrhoeae strains highlight the ability for new N. gonorrhoeae strains to spread and become established across populations.
Publication information
Clin Infect Dis . 2016 Dec 15;63(12):1591-1598. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciw648. Epub 2016 Sep 28.
Date Issued
2016-12-15
Type
Journal Article
Journal Title
Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
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