Sexually Transmitted Pathogens (Past Projects)
Transmission of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in New Zealand and Australia
Project Summary
Infection due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or gonorrhoea, is one of the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infections (STIs), with the incidence of new diagnoses almost doubling in the last 5-10 years in Australia. Current national STI guidelines currently recommend combined treatment with intramuscular ceftriaxone and oral azithromycin. Of global concern is increasing antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae, with only a few available therapeutic options. Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae by the Australian Gonococcal Surveillance Programme (AGSP) has indicated that Victorian gonorrhoea isolates have among the highest rates of decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone in Australia.
This project aims to understand the molecular epidemiology of N. gonorrhoeae in Victoria and New Zealand using whole-genome sequencing. In particular, we aim to investigate the evolution and spread of antimicrobial resistance in these local N. gonorrhoeae populations, and the genome dynamics of person-to-person transmission.
Project Partners
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Victoria, Australia
Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), New Zealand
Publications
Genomic epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in New Zealand
Lee RS, Seemann T, Heffernan H, Kwong JC, Goncalves da Silva A, Carter GP, Woodhouse R, Dyet KH, Bulach DM, Stinear TP, Howden BP, Williamson DA. The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2017. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkx405