Abstract
BackgroundGenomic 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.MethodsWe 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsAll 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.
Highlights
Rates of reported Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections in the United States have fluctuated in the antibiotic era
Eighteen percent of gonorrhea infections in New York City (NYC) and 23% of infections among men in NYC are in patients seen at the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Sexual Health Clinic (SHC)
We found that N. gonorrhoeae lineages were associated with sexual behavior groups, and we found a significant association between antibiotic susceptibility and patient demographic groups
Summary
Rates of reported Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections (gonorrhea) in the United States have fluctuated in the antibiotic era. 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. Isolates clustered on the phylogeny by patient sexual behavior (p
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