Using genomics to understand antimicrobial resistance and transmission in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Leonor Sánchez-Busó,Simon R Harris

doi:10.1099/mgen.0.000239

Leonor Sánchez-Busó, Simon R Harris

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1099/mgen.0.000239

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Journal: Microbial genomics	Publication Date: Jan 30, 2019
Citations: 11	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Wellcome Sanger Institute

Abstract

Gonorrhoea infections are on the increase and strains that are resistant to all antimicrobials used to treat the disease have been found worldwide. These observations encouraged the World Health Organization to include Neisseria gonorrhoeae on their list of high-priority organisms in need of new treatments. Fortunately, concurrent resistance to both antimicrobials used in dual therapy is still rare. The fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) must begin from an understanding of how it evolves and spreads in sexual networks. Genome-based analyses have allowed the study of the gonococcal population dynamics and transmission, giving a novel perspective on AMR gonorrhoea. Here, we will review past, present and future treatment options for gonorrhoea and explain how genomics is helping to increase our understanding of the changing AMR and transmission landscape. This article contains data hosted by Microreact.

Highlights

The diplococcoid, betaproteobacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of gonorrhoea, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide
High-risk populations for gonorrhoea infection include sexual networks that partake in unprotected sex with multiple partners, commercial sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM) and young heterosexuals [4, 5], recent work suggests that it is the frequency of antimicrobial treatment, and not the number of sexual partners, which really contributes to its successful spread [6]
We provide an overview of how genomic analyses are being used to provide insight in these areas

Summary

Introduction

The diplococcoid, betaproteobacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of gonorrhoea, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. We will review the past and novel potential treatment options for gonorrhoea infections as well as illustrate how whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has provided insight into the population and transmission dynamics of N. gonorrhoeae within different sexual networks. Sh16@sanger.ac.uk Keywords: gonorrhoea; genomics; antimicrobial resistance; sexual networks; transmission.

Results

Conclusion