1. |
- Jönsson, Agnez, et al.
(author)
-
In vitro activity and time-kill curve analysis of sitafloxacin against a global panel of antimicrobial-resistant and multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates
- 2018
-
In: Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS). - : Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.. - 0903-4641 .- 1600-0463. ; 126:1, s. 29-37
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Treatment of gonorrhoea is a challenge worldwide because of emergence of resistance in N. gonorrhoeae to all therapeutic antimicrobials available and novel antimicrobials are imperative. The newer-generation fluoroquinolone sitafloxacin, mostly used for respiratory tract infections in Japan, can have a high in vitro activity against gonococci. However, only a limited number of recent antimicrobial-resistant isolates from Japan have been examined. We investigated the sitafloxacin activity against a global gonococcal panel (250 isolates cultured in 1991-2013), including multidrug-resistant geographically, temporally and genetically diverse isolates, and performed time-kill curve analysis for sitafloxacin. The susceptibility to sitafloxacin (agar dilution) and seven additional therapeutic antimicrobials (Etest) was determined. Sitafloxacin was rapidly bactericidal, and the MIC range, MIC50 and MIC90 was ≤0.001-1, 0.125 and 0.25 mg/L, respectively. There was a high correlation between the MICs of sitafloxacin and ciprofloxacin; however, the MIC50 and MIC90 of sitafloxacin were 6-fold and >6-fold lower, respectively. Sitafloxacin might be an option for particularly dual antimicrobial therapy of gonorrhoea and for cases with ceftriaxone resistance or allergy. However, further in vitro and particularly in vivo evaluations of potential resistance, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and ideal dosing for gonorrhoea, as well as performance of randomized controlled clinical, trials are crucial.
|
|
2. |
|
|
3. |
|
|
4. |
- Attram, Naiki, et al.
(author)
-
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and molecular characterization of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Ghana, 2012-2015
- 2019
-
In: PLOS ONE. - : PLOS. - 1932-6203. ; 14:10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance is essential for tracking the emergence and spread of AMR strains in local, national and international populations. This is crucial for developing or refining treatment guidelines. N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) is beneficial for describing the molecular epidemiology of gonococci at national and international levels. Elucidation of AMR determinants to β-lactam drugs, is a means of monitoring the development of resistance. In Ghana, little is known about the current gonococcal AMR prevalence and no characterization of gonococcal isolates has been previously performed. In this study, gonococcal isolates (n = 44) collected from five health facilities in Ghana from 2012 to 2015, were examined using AMR testing, NG-MAST and sequencing of penA. High rates of resistance were identified to tetracycline (100%), benzylpenicillin (90.9%), and ciprofloxacin (81.8%). One isolate had a high cefixime MIC (0.75 μg/ml). Twenty-eight NG-MAST sequence types (STs) were identified, seventeen of which were novel. The isolate with the high cefixime MIC contained a mosaic penA-34 allele and belonged to NG-MAST ST1407, an internationally spreading multidrug-resistant clone that has accounted for most cefixime resistance in many countries. In conclusion, AMR testing, NG-MAST, and sequencing of the AMR determinant penA, revealed high rates of resistance to tetracycline, benzylpenicillin, and ciprofloxacin; as well as a highly diverse population of N. gonorrhoeae in Ghana. It is imperative to continue with enhanced AMR surveillance and to understand the molecular epidemiology of gonococcal strains circulating in Ghana and other African countries.
|
|
5. |
- Bala, Manju, et al.
(author)
-
Gentamicin in vitro activity and tentative gentamicin interpretation criteria for the CLSI and calibrated dichotomous sensitivity disc diffusion methods for Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- 2016
-
In: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - Oxford, United Kingdom : Oxford University Press. - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 71:7, s. 1856-1859
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: XDR Neisseria gonorrhoeae imposes the threat of untreatable gonorrhoea. Gentamicin is considered for future treatment; however, no interpretation criteria for the CLSI and calibrated dichotomous sensitivity (CDS) disc diffusion (DD) techniques are available for N. gonorrhoeae. We investigated the in vitro gentamicin activity by MIC and DD methods, proposed DD breakpoints and determined DD ranges for 10 international quality control (QC) strains.Methods: Gentamicin susceptibility of 333 N. gonorrhoeae isolates, including 323 clinical isolates and 10 QC strains, was determined. MIC determination (Etest) and DD methods (CLSI and CDS) were performed. The relationship between MIC, inhibition zone diameter and annular radius was determined by linear regression analysis and the correlation coefficient (r) was calculated.Results: Gentamicin MICs for the QC strains were within published ranges. Of the 323 clinical isolates, according to published breakpoints 75.9%, 23.5% and 0.6% were susceptible, intermediately susceptible and resistant, respectively. Based on error minimization with MICs of ≤4, 8-16 and ≥32 mg/L, breakpoints proposed are susceptible ≥16 mm, intermediately susceptible 13-15 mm and resistant ≤12 mm for the CLSI method and susceptible ≥6 mm, less susceptible 3-5 mm and resistant ≤2 mm for the CDS technique.Conclusions: Low resistance to gentamicin was identified and gentamicin might be a future treatment option for gonorrhoea. Tentative gentamicin zone breakpoints were defined for two DD methods and QC ranges for 10 international reference strains were established. Our findings suggest that in resource-poor settings where MIC testing is not a feasible option, the DD methods can be used to indicate gentamicin resistance.
|
|
6. |
- Bazzo, M. L., et al.
(author)
-
First nationwide antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Brazil, 2015-16
- 2018
-
In: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press. - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 73:7, s. 1854-1861
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Gonorrhoea and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae are major public health concerns globally. Enhanced AMR surveillance for gonococci is essential worldwide; however, recent quality-assured gonococcal AMR surveillance in Latin America, including Brazil, has been limited. Our aims were to (i) establish the first nationwide gonococcal AMR surveillance, quality assured according to WHO standards, in Brazil, and (ii) describe the antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical gonococcal isolates collected from 2015 to 2016 in all five main regions (seven sentinel sites) of Brazil.Methods: Gonococcal isolates from 550 men with urethral discharge were examined for susceptibility to ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, benzylpenicillin and tetracycline using the agar dilution method, according to CLSI recommendations and quality assured according to WHO standards.Results: The levels of resistance (intermediate susceptibility) to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, benzylpenicillin and azithromycin were 61.6%(34.2%), 55.6%(0.5%), 37.1% (60.4%) and 6.9% (8.9%), respectively. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and cefixime using the US CLSI breakpoints. However, according to the European EUCAST cefixime breakpoints, 0.2% (n= 1) of isolates were cefixime resistant and 6.9% (n = 38) of isolates had a cefixime MIC bordering on resistance.Conclusions: This study describes the first national surveillance of gonococcal AMR in Brazil, which was quality assured according to WHO standards. The high resistance to ciprofloxacin (which promptly informed a revision of the Brazilian sexually transmitted infection treatment guideline), emerging resistance to azithromycin and decreasing susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins necessitate continuous surveillance of gonococcal AMR and ideally treatment failures, and increased awareness when prescribing treatment in Brazil.
|
|
7. |
|
|
8. |
- Bettoni, Serena, et al.
(author)
-
C4BP-IgM protein as a therapeutic approach to treat Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections
- 2019
-
In: JCI Insight. - : American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI). - 2379-3708. ; 4:23
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection with 87 million new cases per year globally. Increasing antibiotic resistance has severely limited treatment options. A mechanism that Neisseria gonorrhoeae uses to evade complement attack is binding of the complement inhibitor C4b-binding protein (C4BP). We screened 107 porin B1a (PorB1a) and 83 PorB1b clinical isolates randomly selected from a Swedish strain collection over the last 10 years and noted that 96/107 (89.7%) PorB1a and 16/83 (19.3%) PorB1b bound C4BP; C4BP binding substantially correlated with the ability to evade complement-dependent killing (r = 0.78). We designed 2 chimeric proteins that fused C4BP domains to the backbone of IgG or IgM (C4BP-IgG; C4BP-IgM) with the aim of enhancing complement activation and killing of gonococci. Both proteins bound gonococci (KD C4BP-IgM = 2.4 nM; KD C4BP-IgG 980.7 nM), but only hexameric C4BP-IgM efficiently outcompeted heptameric C4BP from the bacterial surface, resulting in enhanced complement deposition and bacterial killing. Furthermore, C4BP-IgM substantially attenuated the duration and burden of colonization of 2 C4BP-binding gonococcal isolates but not a non-C4BP-binding strain in a mouse vaginal colonization model using human factor H/C4BP-transgenic mice. Our preclinical data present C4BP-IgM as an adjunct to conventional antimicrobials for the treatment of gonorrhea.
|
|
9. |
- Boiko, Iryna, et al.
(author)
-
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates and treatment of gonorrhoea patients in Ternopil and Dnipropetrovsk regions of Ukraine, 2013-2018
- 2019
-
In: Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS). - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0903-4641 .- 1600-0463. ; 127:7, s. 503-509
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major public health concern globally. However, recent gonococcal AMR data from Eastern Europe are extremely limited and no AMR data for strains spreading in Ukraine have ever been internationally published. We investigated the AMR of N. gonorrhoeae isolates in two regions of Ukraine (Ternopil 2013-2018, Dnipropetrovsk 2013-2014), and, where information was available, the treatment administered to the corresponding gonorrhoea patients. Determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of eight antimicrobials was performed using Etest and resistance breakpoints from the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) were applied. Overall, 9.3% of the examined 150 isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, 6.0% to tetracycline, 2.0% to azithromycin, and 0.7% to benzylpenicillin. No isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone, cefixime, spectinomycin, or gentamicin. However, one (0.7%) isolate showed a MIC value of 0.125 mg/L for both ceftriaxone and cefixime, i.e., bordering resistance. Eighty-eight (67.2%) of 131 patients were administered dual therapy (ceftriaxone 1 g plus doxycycline/clarithromycin/azithromycin/ofloxacin) and 22 (16.8%) ceftriaxone 1 g monotherapy. Worryingly, 21 (16.0%) patients received monotherapy with clarithromycin/doxycycline/azithromycin/ofloxacin/benzylpenicillin. In conclusion, the antimicrobial susceptibility of gonococcal strains spreading in Ternopil and Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine during 2013-2018 was high. Low levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, azithromycin, and benzylpenicillin were found, but no resistance to the internationally recommended ceftriaxone, cefixime, or spectinomycin. Ceftriaxone 1 g should remain as empiric first-line treatment, in dual therapy with azithromycin or doxycycline or in monotherapy. Continued and expanded gonococcal AMR surveillance in Ukraine is essential to monitor the susceptibility to particularly extended-spectrum cephalosporins, azithromycin and doxycycline.
|
|
10. |
- Boiko, Iryna, et al.
(author)
-
High prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and particularly Trichomonas vaginalis diagnosed using US FDA-approved Aptima molecular tests and evaluation of conventional routine diagnostic tests in Ternopil, Ukraine
- 2019
-
In: Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS). - : Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.. - 0903-4641 .- 1600-0463. ; 127:9, s. 627-634
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain major public health problems globally. Appropriate laboratory diagnosis of STIs is rare in Ukraine. We investigated the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) using the US FDA-approved Aptima Combo 2 and Aptima TV assays and compared the results with the conventional routine diagnostic tests (CDTs) in Ukraine. Urogenital swabs from consecutive mostly symptomatic females (n = 296) and males (n = 159) were examined. The prevalences were as follows: 10% (n = 47) of TV, 5.3% (n = 24) of CT and 1.5% (n = 7) of NG. The specificity of some CDTs was high, for example, 100% for NG culture, TV IgG ELISA, CT IgM ELISA and CT microscopy, but lower for other CDTs, that is, from 44% to 99.8%. The sensitivity of all CDTs was suboptimal, that is, 71% (n = 5) for NG microscopy, 57% (n = 4) for NG culture, 53% (n = 8) for CT IgG ELISA, 33% (n = 1) for TV IgG ELISA, 28% (n = 13) for TV microscopy, 25% (n = 1) for CT IgA ELISA, 20% (n = 3) for CT IgM ELISA and 0% (n = 0) for CT microscopy. The prevalences of particularly TV and CT were high, but substantial also for NG, in Ternopil, Ukraine. The sensitivities of all CDTs were low, and widespread implementation of validated, quality-assured and cost-effective molecular diagnostic STI tests in Ukraine is imperative.
|
|
11. |
- Bruni, Mirian Pinheiro, et al.
(author)
-
Aptima Trichomonas vaginalis assay elucidates significant underdiagnosis of trichomoniasis among women in Brazil according to an observational study
- 2019
-
In: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 95:2, s. 129-132
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection is the most common non-viral STI globally and can result in adverse pregnancy outcomes and exacerbated HIV acquisition/transmission. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are the most sensitive diagnostic tests, with high specificity, but TV NAATs are rarely used in Brazil. We investigated the TV prevalence and compared the performance of the US Food and Drug Association-cleared Aptima TV assay with microscopy (wet mount and Gram-stained) and culture for TV detection in women in Pelotas, Brazil in an observational study.METHODS: From August 2015 to December 2016, 499 consecutive asymptomatic and symptomatic sexually active women attending a Gynaecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic were enrolled. Vaginal fluid and swab specimens were collected and wet mount microscopy, Gram-stained microscopy, culture and the Aptima TV assay performed.RESULTS: The median age of enrolled women was 36.5 years (range: 15-77). The majority were white, had a steady sexual partner and low levels of education. The TV detection rate was 4.2%, 2.4%, 1.2% and 0% using the Aptima TV assay, culture, wet mount microscopy and Gram-stained microscopy, respectively. The sensitivity of culture and wet mount microscopy was only 57.1% (95% CI 36.5 to 75.5) and 28.6% (95% CI 13.8 to 50.0), respectively.CONCLUSIONS: was found among women in Pelotas, Brazil and the routine diagnostic test (wet mount microscopy) and culture had low sensitivities. More sensitive diagnostic tests (NAATs) and enhanced testing of symptomatic and asymptomatic at-risk women are crucial to mitigate the transmission of TV infection, TV-associated sequelae and enhanced HIV acquisition and transmission.
|
|
12. |
- Chen, Shao-Chun, et al.
(author)
-
First nationwide study regarding ceftriaxone resistance and molecular epidemiology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in China
- 2016
-
In: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press. - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 71:1, s. 92-99
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major public health concern worldwide. This is the first nationwide study, performed within the China Gonococcal Antimicrobial Susceptibility Programme (China-GASP), regarding AMR, including ceftriaxone genetic resistance determinants, and molecular epidemiology of gonococci in China.Methods: Gonococcal isolates (naEuroS=aEuroS1257) from consecutive patients were collected at 11 sentinel sites distributed across China during 2012-13. Susceptibility to ceftriaxone, spectinomycin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline was determined using the agar dilution method. Ceftriaxone resistance determinants penA and penB were examined using sequencing. N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) was performed for molecular epidemiology.Results: Among isolates, 0.2% were resistant to spectinomycin, 4.4% to ceftriaxone, 42.9% to tetracyclines (high-level resistance) and 99.8% to ciprofloxacin. Among 890 sequenced isolates, 16 (1.8%) possessed a penA mosaic allele; 4 of these isolates belonged to the MDR internationally spread NG-MAST genogroup G1407 (first description in China). Non-mosaic penA alleles with an A501T mutation and an A102D alteration in porB1b were statistically associated with decreased susceptibility/resistance to ceftriaxone. NG-MAST G10339, G1424 and G1053 were associated with decreased susceptibility/resistance to ceftriaxone.Conclusions: In China, ceftriaxone and spectinomycin can continue to be recommended for gonorrhoea treatment, with the possible exception of Hainan and Sichuan provinces where ceftriaxone resistance exceeded 5% and AMR surveillance needs to be strengthened. Molecular approaches including genotyping and AMR determinant analysis can be valuable to supplement and enhance conventional surveillance of gonococcal AMR in China.
|
|
13. |
|
|
14. |
- Cole, Michelle J., et al.
(author)
-
Genetic diversity of bla(TEM) alleles, antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular epidemiological characteristics of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae from England and Wales
- 2015
-
In: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press. - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 70:12, s. 3238-3243
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of bla(TEM) alleles, antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular epidemiological characteristics of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) isolates collected in 2012 from England and Wales.Methods: PPNG isolates were from the 2012 Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (GRASP). Their susceptibility to seven antimicrobials was determined using agar dilution methodology. beta-Lactamase production was detected using a nitrocefin test. beta-Lactamase plasmid types were determined and bla(TEM) genes were sequenced. Isolates were also typed by N. gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST).Results: Seventy-three PPNG isolates were identified in the 2012 GRASP collection (4.6%, 73/1603). Three different bla(TEM) alleles were identified, encoding three TEM amino acid sequences: TEM-1 (53%), TEM-1 with a P14S substitution (19%) and TEM-135 (27%). The bla(TEM-135) allele was present in nine different NG-MAST types and was found mostly on Asian (60%) and Toronto/Rio (35%) plasmids. By contrast, most TEM-1-encoding plasmids were African (98%). All the TEM-135 isolates displayed high-level ciprofloxacin and tetracycline resistance.Conclusions: The high proportion of bla(TEM-135) alleles (27%) demonstrates that this variant is circulating within several gonococcal lineages. Only a single specific mutation near the beta-lactamase active site could result in TEM-135 evolving into an ESBL. This is concerning particularly because the TEM-135 isolates were associated with high-level ciprofloxacin and tetracycline resistance. It is encouraging that no further TEM alleles were detected in this gonococcal population; however, vigilance is vital as an ESBL in N. gonorrhoeae would render the last remaining option for monotherapy, ceftriaxone, useless.
|
|
15. |
- Cole, Michelle J., et al.
(author)
-
Is the tide turning again for cephalosporin resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Europe? : Results from the 2013 European surveillance
- 2015
-
In: BMC Infectious Diseases. - London, United Kingdom : BioMed Central. - 1471-2334. ; 15
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The emerging resistance to the extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae together with increasing incidence of gonorrhoea cases in many countries have been global public health concerns. However, in recent years the levels of ESC resistance have decreased in several regions worldwide. We describe the European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (Euro-GASP) data from 2013, and compare them to corresponding data from 2009-2012.Methods: During 2013, N. gonorrhoeae isolates from 21 participating countries were examined. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (Etest or agar dilution) was performed for cefixime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, spectinomycin and gentamicin. Statistical analyses were performed to identify significant changes in resistance between years and to investigate associations between patients with resistant gonococcal isolates and collected epidemiological variables.Results: In total, 93 (4.7 %) of 1994 isolates displayed resistance to cefixime, representing an increase compared to the 3.9 % detected in 2012 (p = 0.23). Cefixime resistance was detected in 13 (61.9 %) of the 21 countries. Cefixime resistance among men who have sex with men was only 1.2 %, compared to 5.6 % and 6.1 % in females and male heterosexuals, respectively. The univariate analysis confirmed that isolates resistant to cefixime were more likely to be from females (OR 4.87, p < 0.01) or male heterosexuals (OR 5.32, p < 0.01). Seven (0.4 %) isolates displayed ceftriaxone resistance (in addition to cefixime resistance) compared to three and 10 isolates in 2012 and 2011, respectively. All 93 isolates with cefixime resistance were additionally resistant to ciprofloxacin and 16 (17.2 %) were also resistant to azithromycin. Among all tested isolates (n = 1994), the ciprofloxacin resistance level (52.9 %) was higher than in 2012 (50.1 %; p = 0.08), and azithromycin resistance (5.4 %) increased since 2012 (4.5 %; p = 0.16).Conclusions: In 2013, the ESC resistance was again slightly increasing in Europe. This emphasises the importance of implementing the actions outlined in the European and additional response plans, particularly activities strengthening the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance. Ceftriaxone combined with azithromycin remains a satisfactory option for the first-line treatment of gonorrhoea. However novel antimicrobials (new derivatives of previously developed antimicrobials or newly developed antimicrobials) for effective monotherapy or at least inclusion in new dual antimicrobial therapy regimens (combined with previously developed antimicrobials or novel antimicrobials) will likely be required.
|
|
16. |
- Cole, Michelle J., et al.
(author)
-
Overall Low Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporin Resistance but high Azithromycin Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in 24 European Countries, 2015
- 2017
-
In: BMC Infectious Diseases. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2334. ; 17
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Surveillance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility in Europe is performed through the European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (Euro-GASP), which additionally provides data to inform the European gonorrhoea treatment guideline; currently recommending ceftriaxone 500 mg plus azithromycin 2 g as first-line therapy. We present antimicrobial susceptibility data from 24 European countries in 2015, linked to epidemiological data of patients, and compare the results to Euro-GASP data from previous years.Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by MIC gradient strips or agar dilution methodology was performed on 2134 N. gonorrhoeae isolates and interpreted using EUCAST breakpoints. Patient variables associated with resistance were established using logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs).Results: In 2015, 1.7% of isolates were cefixime resistant compared to 2.0% in 2014. Ceftriaxone resistance was detected in only one (0.05%) isolate in 2015, compared with five (0.2%) in 2014. Azithromycin resistance was detected in 7.1% of isolates in 2015 (7.9% in 2014), and five (0.2%) isolates displayed high-level azithromycin resistance (MIC = 256 mg/L) compared with one (0.05%) in 2014. Ciprofloxacin resistance remained high (49.4%, vs. 50.7% in 2014). Cefixime resistance significantly increased among heterosexual males (4.1% vs. 1.7% in 2014), which was mainly attributable to data from two countries with high cefixime resistance (similar to 11%), however rates among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) and females continued to decline to 0.5% and 1%, respectively. Azithromycin resistance in MSM and heterosexual males was higher (both 8.1%) than in females (4.9% vs. 2.2% in 2014). The association between azithromycin resistance and previous gonorrhoea infection, observed in 2014, continued in 2015 (OR 2.1, CI 1.2-3.5, p < 0.01).Conclusions: The 2015 Euro-GASP sentinel system revealed high, but stable azithromycin resistance and low overall resistance to ceftriaxone and cefixime. The low cephalosporin resistance may be attributable to the effectiveness of the currently recommended first-line dual antimicrobial therapy; however the high azithromycin resistance threatens the effectiveness of this therapeutic regimen. Whether the global use of azithromycin in mono-or dual antimicrobial therapy of gonorrhoea is contributing to the global increases in azithromycin resistance remains to be elucidated. The increasing cefixime resistance in heterosexual males also needs close monitoring.
|
|
17. |
- Cole, Michelle J., et al.
(author)
-
Ten years of external quality assessment (EQA) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility testing in Europe elucidate high reliability of data
- 2019
-
In: BMC Infectious Diseases. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2334. ; 19:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Confidence in any diagnostic and antimicrobial susceptibility testing data is provided by appropriate and regular quality assurance (QA) procedures. In Europe, the European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Susceptibility Programme (Euro-GASP) has been monitoring the antimicrobial susceptibility in Neisseria gonorrhoeae since 2004. Euro-GASP includes an external quality assessment (EQA) scheme as an essential component for a quality-assured laboratory-based surveillance programme. Participation in the EQA scheme enables any problems with the performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing to be identified and addressed, feeds into the curricula of laboratory training organised by the Euro-GASP network, and assesses the capacity of individual laboratories to detect emerging new, rare and increasing antimicrobial resistance phenotypes. Participant performance in the Euro-GASP EQA scheme over a 10 year period (2007 to 2016, no EQA in 2013) was evaluated.METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility category and MIC results from the first 5 years (2007-2011) of the Euro-GASP EQA were compared with the latter 5 years (2012-2016). These time periods were selected to assess the impact of the 2012 European Union case definitions for the reporting of antimicrobial susceptibility.RESULTS: dilutions of the modal MIC, respectively. The most common method used was Etest on GC agar base. There was a shift to using breakpoints published by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) in the latter 5 years, however overall impact on the validity of results was limited, as the percentage categorical agreement and MIC concordance changed very little between the two five-year periods.CONCLUSIONS: The high level of comparability of results in this EQA scheme indicates that high quality data are produced by the Euro-GASP participants and gives confidence in susceptibility and resistance data generated by laboratories performing decentralised testing.
|
|
18. |
- Cole, Michelle J., et al.
(author)
-
The European gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance programme (Euro-GASP) appropriately reflects the antimicrobial resistance situation for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the European Union/European Economic Area
- 2019
-
In: BMC Infectious Diseases. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2334. ; 19:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (Euro-GASP) antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data are used to inform gonorrhoea treatment guidelines; therefore the data need to be robust and representative. We assessed the extent to which Euro-GASP reflects national measures of the AMR situation for Neisseria gonorrhoeae across the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA).METHODS: We compared data from Euro-GASP with published national gonococcal AMR data from 15 countries for azithromycin, cefixime and ciprofloxacin for the period 2009 to 2013 and performed Poisson regression to identify differences (p < 0.05) between the proportions of resistant isolates. The 2014 Euro-GASP AMR data for each country (n = 19) were weighted to account for differences in the distribution of patient characteristics between Euro-GASP and EU/EEA epidemiological gonorrhoea surveillance data. Data were compared to determine whether estimates of resistance levels differed with regards to the 5% threshold used to assess the clinical utility of first-line gonorrhoea treatments. We assessed the quality of decentralised testing by comparing AMR data for isolates tested both centrally and in the participating laboratories, and by evaluating external quality assessment (EQA) performance.RESULTS: There was no significant difference for azithromycin, cefixime and ciprofloxacin resistance when Euro-GASP country data were compared with data from national reports. Weighting slightly altered the Euro-GASP AMR estimates (by between - 4.7 and 4.7% from the unweighted estimates). Weighting resulted in greater changes in estimates of resistance to azithromycin (from - 9.5 to 2.7%) and ciprofloxacin (from - 14.8 to 17.9%) in countries with low isolate numbers and low completeness of reporting (n = 3). Weighting caused AMR levels to fall below or above the 5% threshold for cefixime or azithromycin, respectively in only two countries. Susceptibility category data submitted from the decentralised Euro-GASP laboratories were concordant with the Euro-GASP data (> 90%). EQA performance was also good; < 5% of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results differed by > 4-fold from the modal MIC of the EQA isolate.CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of AMR reported by Euro-GASP reflects closely the AMR situation for N. gonorrhoeae in the EU/EEA. Euro-GASP data can be used to provide robust AMR estimates to inform the European guideline for the management of gonorrhoea.
|
|
19. |
- Connolly, Kristie L., et al.
(author)
-
Pharmacokinetic Data Are Predictive of In Vivo Efficacy for Cefixime and Ceftriaxone against Susceptible and Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains in the Gonorrhea Mouse Model
- 2019
-
In: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0066-4804 .- 1098-6596. ; 63:3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is a pressing need for drug development for gonorrhea. Here we describe pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) analysis of extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESC) against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant gonococcal strains in a murine genital tract infection model. PK determined in uninfected mice displayed a clear dose response in plasma levels following single doses of ceftriaxone (CRO) (intraperitoneal) or cefixime (CFM) (oral). The observed doses required for efficacy against ESCS strain FA1090 were 5 mg/kg (CRO) and 12 mg/kg (CFM); these doses had estimated therapeutic times (time of free drug above the MIC, fTMIC) of 24 h and 37 h, respectively. No single dose of CRO or CFM was effective against the ESCR strain H041. However, fractionation (TIDq8h) of a 120 mg/kg dose of CRO resulted in estimated therapeutic times in the range of 23 h and cleared H041 infection in a majority (90%) of mice, comparable to gentamicin. In contrast, multiple CFM doses of 120 or 300 mg/kg administered TIDq8h cleared infection in ≤ 50% of mice with therapeutic times estimated from single-dose PK data, of 13 and 27 h, respectively. This study reveals a clear relationship between plasma ESC levels and bacterial clearance rates in the gonorrhea mouse model. The PK/PD relationships in mice reflected that observed in humans with in vivo efficacy against an ESCS strain requiring doses that yielded an fTMIC in excess of 20-24 h. PK data also accurately predicted the failure of single doses of ESCs against an ESCR strain and were useful in designing effective dosing regimens.
|
|
20. |
- Dahlberg, Jenny, et al.
(author)
-
Ten years transmission of the new variant of Chlamydia trachomatis in Sweden : prevalence of infections and associated complications
- 2018
-
In: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 94:2, s. 100-104
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: In 2006, a new variant of Chlamydia trachomatis (nvCT) was discovered in Sweden. It has a deletion in the plasmid resulting in failed detection by the single target systems from Abbott and Roche used at that time, whereas the third system used, from Becton Dickinson (BD), detects nvCT. The proportion of nvCT was initially up to 65% in counties using Abbott/Roche systems. This study analysed the proportion of nvCT from 2007 to 2015 in four selected counties and its impact on chlamydia-associated complications.METHODS: C. trachomatis-positive specimens collected from 2007 to 2015 were analysed by a specific PCR to identify nvCT cases. Genotyping was performed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and ompA sequencing. Ectopic pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease records were extracted from the national registers.RESULTS: In total, 5101 C. trachomatis-positive samples were analysed. The nvCT proportion significantly decreased in the two counties using Roche systems, from 56% in 2007 to 6.5% in 2015 (p<0.001). In the two counties using BD systems, a decrease was also seen, from 19% in 2007 to 5.2% in 2015 (p<0.001). Fifteen nvCT cases from 2015 and 102 cases from 2006 to 2009 had identical MLST profiles. Counties using Roche/Abbott systems showed higher mean rates of ectopic pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease compared with counties using BD systems.CONCLUSIONS: The nvCT proportion has decreased in all counties and converged to a low prevalence irrespective of previous rates. Genotyping showed that nvCT is clonal and genetically stable. Failing detection only marginally affected complication rates.
|
|
21. |
|
|
22. |
- Davidsson, Sabina, 1972-, et al.
(author)
-
Frequency and typing of Propionibacterium acnes in prostate tissue obtained from men with and without prostate cancer
- 2016
-
In: Infectious Agents and Cancer. - London, United Kingdom : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1750-9378. ; 11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Western countries but the exact pathogenic mechanism of the disease is still largely unknown. An infectious etiology and infection-induced inflammation has been suggested to play a role in prostate carcinogenesis and Propionibacterium acnes has been reported as the most prevalent microorganism in prostatic tissue. We investigated the frequency and types of P. acnes isolated from prostate tissue samples from men with prostate cancer and from control patients without the disease.Methods: We included 100 cases and 50 controls in this study. Cases were men diagnosed with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy and controls were men undergoing surgery for bladder cancer without any histological findings of prostate cancer. Six biopsies taken from each patient's prostate gland at the time of surgery were used for cultivation and further characterization of P. acnes.Results: The results revealed that P. acnes was more common in men with prostate carcinoma than in controls, with the bacteria cultured in 60 % of the cases vs. 26 % of the controls (p = 0.001). In multivariable analyses, men with P. acnes had a 4-fold increase in odds of a prostate cancer diagnosis after adjustment for age, calendar year of surgery and smoking status (OR: 4.46; 95 % CI: 1.93-11.26). To further support the biologic plausibility for a P. acnes infection as a contributing factor in prostate cancer development, we subsequently conducted cell-based experiments. P. acnes- isolates were co-cultured with the prostate cell line PNT1A. An increased cell proliferation and cytokine/chemokine secretion in infected cells was observed.Conclusion: The present study provides further evidence for a role of P. acnes in prostate cancer development.
|
|
23. |
- Day, Michaela J., et al.
(author)
-
Stably high azithromycin resistance and decreasing ceftriaxone susceptibility in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in 25 European countries, 2016
- 2018
-
In: BMC Infectious Diseases. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2334. ; 18:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (Euro-GASP) performs annual sentinel surveillance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae susceptibility to therapeutically relevant antimicrobials across the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). We present the Euro-GASP results from 2016 (25 countries), linked to patient epidemiological data, and compared with data from previous years.METHODS: Agar dilution and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) gradient strip methodologies were used to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility (using EUCAST breakpoints) of 2660 N. gonorrhoeae isolates from 25 countries across the EU/EEA. Significance of differences compared with Euro-GASP results in previous years was analysed using Z-tests.RESULTS: No isolates with resistance to ceftriaxone (MIC > 0.125 mg/L) were detected in 2016 (one in 2015). However, the proportion of isolates with decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone (MICs from 0.03 mg/L to 0.125 mg/L) increased significantly (p = 0.01) from 2015 to 2016. There were 14 (0.5%) isolates with ceftriaxone MICs 0.125 mg/L (on the resistance breakpoint), of which one isolate was resistant to azithromycin and four showed intermediate susceptibility to azithromycin. Cefixime resistance was detected in 2.1% of isolates in 2016 compared with 1.7% in 2015 (p = 0.26) and azithromycin resistance in 7.5% in 2016 compared with 7.1% in 2015 (p = 0.74). Seven (0.3%) isolates from five countries displayed high-level azithromycin resistance (MIC≥256 mg/L) in 2016 compared with five (0.2%) isolates in 2015. Resistance rate to ciprofloxacin was 46.5% compared with 49.4% in 2015 (p = 0.06). No isolates were resistant to spectinomycin and the MICs of gentamicin remained stable compared with previous years.CONCLUSIONS: Overall AMR rates in gonococci in EU/EEA remained stable from 2015 to 2016. However, the ceftriaxone MIC distribution shifted away from the most susceptible (≤0.016 mg/L) and the proportion of isolates with decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone increased significantly. This development is of concern as current European gonorrhoea management guideline recommends ceftriaxone 500 mg plus azithromycin 2 g as first-line therapy. With azithromycin resistance at 7.5%, the increasing ceftriaxone MICs might soon threaten the effectiveness of this therapeutic regimen and requires close monitoring.
|
|
24. |
- Day, Michaela, et al.
(author)
-
THE EUROPEAN GONOCOCCAL ANTIMICROBIAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FINDINGS 2017
- 2019
-
In: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 95:Suppl. 1, s. A43-A43
-
Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: The European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (Euro-GASP) annually investigates antimicrobial susceptibility data for Neisseria gonorrhoeae with patient epidemiological data to monitor current and emerging trends in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across Europe. Susceptibility to ceftriaxone and azithromycin, currently recommended for combination treatment in the European management guideline, has decreased in the past; regular surveillance of AMR is cru-cial. We present the main Euro-GASP findings from 2017.Methods: Agar dilution and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) gradient strip tests were used to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility to cefixime, ceftriaxone and azithromycin (using EUCAST breakpoints) of 3248 N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected in 2017 from 27 countries across the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). Significance of changes in resistance compared to 2016 was analysed using Z-tests.Results: There were no isolates with ceftriaxone resistance (MIC>0.125 mg/L) (zero in 2016), 7.5% of isolates were azithromycin resistant (MIC>0.5 mg/L) (7.5% in 2016; p=0.93) and cefixime resistance (MIC>0.125 mg/L) was observed in 1.9% of isolates (2.1% in 2016; p=0.53). Seven isolates from four countries displayed high-level azithromycin resistance (MIC256 mg/L), which is the same number as observed in 2016, although in different countries (five countries in 2016). Ceftriaxone MICs for 28 isolates (0.9%) were 0.125 mg/L (on the resistance breakpoint) which is double the number observed in 2016 (14 isolates, 0.5%) although this increase is not statistically significant (p=0.33). Of the 28 isolates on the ceftriaxone resistance breakpoint, four showed intermediate susceptibility to azithromycin.Conclusion: Ceftriaxone, azithromycin and cefixime resistance levels remained stable compared with 2016. However, the current azithromycin resistance rate of 7.5% and the number of isolates on the resistance breakpoint for ceftriaxone threaten the effectiveness of the currently recommended European therapeutic regimen of ceftriaxone 500 mg plus azithromycin 2 g. Continued surveillance is essential together with, ultimately, development of new effective antimicrobials.
|
|
25. |
- de Vries, H. J. C., et al.
(author)
-
2019 European guideline on the management of lymphogranuloma venereum
- 2019
-
In: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. - : Blackwell Publishing. - 0926-9959 .- 1468-3083. ; 33:10, s. 1821-1828
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- New or important issues in this updated version of the 2013 European guideline on the management of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV):EPIDEMIOLOGY: Lymphogranuloma venereum continues to be endemic among European men who have sex with men (MSM) since 2003. Lymphogranuloma venereum infections in heterosexuals are extremely rare in Europe, and there is no evidence of transmission of LGV in the European heterosexual population.AETIOLOGY AND TRANSMISSION: Chlamydia trachomatis serovars/genovars L2b and L2 are the causative strains in the majority of cases in Europe.CLINICAL FEATURES: Among MSM, about 25% of the anorectal LGV infections are asymptomatic. Genital infections among MSM are rare; the ratio of genital vs. anorectal LGV infections is 1 in 15.DIAGNOSIS: To diagnose LGV, a sample tested C. trachomatis positive with a commercial nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) platform should be confirmed with an LGV discriminatory NAAT.TREATMENT: Doxycycline 100 mg twice a day orally for 21 days is the recommended treatment for LGV. This same treatment is recommended also in asymptomatic patients and contacts of LGV patients. If another regimen is used, a test of cure (TOC) must be performed.
|
|
26. |
- Demczuk, Walter, et al.
(author)
-
Genomic epidemiology and molecular resistance mechanisms of azithromycin resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Canada from 1997 to 2014
- 2016
-
In: Journal of Clinical Microbiology. - Washington, USA : American Society for Microbiology. - 0095-1137 .- 1098-660X. ; 54:5, s. 1304-1313
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The emergence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with decreased susceptibility to cephalosporins and azithromycin resistance (AZM-R) represent a public health threat of untreatable gonorrhoea infections. Genomic epidemiology through whole genome sequencing was used to describe the emergence, dissemination, and spread of AZM-R strains. The genomes of 213 AZM-R and 23 AZM-susceptible N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected in Canada from 1989 to 2014 were sequenced. Core single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) phylogenomic analysis resolved 246 isolates into 13 lineages. High-level AZM-R (minimum inhibitory concentration ≥256 μg/ml) was found in 5 phylogenetically diverse isolates, all of which possessed the A2059G mutation (Escherichia coli numbering) in all four 23S rRNA alleles. One high-level AZM-R isolate collected in 2009 concurrently had decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone (MIC=0.125 μg/ml). An increase in the number of 23S rRNA alleles with the C2611T mutations (E. coli numbering) conferred low to moderate AZM-R (2 to 4 and 8 to 32 μg/mL, respectively). Low level AZM-R was also associated with mtrR promoter mutations including -35A deletion and the presence of N. meningitidis-like sequences. Geographic and temporal phylogenetic clustering indicate emergent AZM-R strains arise independently and can then rapidly expand clonally in a region through local sexual networks.
|
|
27. |
- Demczuk, Walter H.B., et al.
(author)
-
Neisseria gonorrhoeae Sequence Typing for Antimicrobial Resistance : a Novel Antimicrobial Resistance Multilocus Typing Scheme for Tracking Global Dissemination of N. gonorrhoeae Strains
- 2017
-
In: Journal of Clinical Microbiology. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0095-1137 .- 1098-660X. ; 55:5, s. 1454-1468
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A curated Web-based user-friendly sequence typing tool based on antimicrobial resistance determinants in Neisseria gonorrhoeae was developed and is publicly accessible (https://ngstar.canada.ca). The N. gonorrhoeae Sequence Typing for Antimicrobial Resistance (NG-STAR) molecular typing scheme uses the DNA sequences of 7 genes (penA, mtrR, porB, ponA, gyrA, parC, and 23S rRNA) associated with resistance to β-lactam antimicrobials, macrolides, or fluoroquinolones. NG-STAR uses the entire penA sequence, combining the historical nomenclature for penA types I to XXXVIII with novel nucleotide sequence designations; the full mtrR sequence and a portion of its promoter region; portions of ponA, porB, gyrA, and parC; and 23S rRNA sequences. NG-STAR grouped 768 isolates into 139 sequence types (STs) (n = 660) consisting of 29 clonal complexes (CCs) having a maximum of a single-locus variation, and 76 NG-STAR STs (n = 109) were identified as unrelated singletons. NG-STAR had a high Simpson's diversity index value of 96.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.959 to 0.969). The most common STs were NG-STAR ST-90 (n = 100; 13.0%), ST-42 and ST-91 (n = 45; 5.9%), ST-64 (n = 44; 5.72%), and ST-139 (n = 42; 5.5%). Decreased susceptibility to azithromycin was associated with NG-STAR ST-58, ST-61, ST-64, ST-79, ST-91, and ST-139 (n = 156; 92.3%); decreased susceptibility to cephalosporins was associated with NG-STAR ST-90, ST-91, and ST-97 (n = 162; 94.2%); and ciprofloxacin resistance was associated with NG-STAR ST-26, ST-90, ST-91, ST-97, ST-150, and ST-158 (n = 196; 98.0%). All isolates of NG-STAR ST-42, ST-43, ST-63, ST-81, and ST-160 (n = 106) were susceptible to all four antimicrobials. The standardization of nomenclature associated with antimicrobial resistance determinants through an internationally available database will facilitate the monitoring of the global dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant N. gonorrhoeae strains.
|
|
28. |
- Donà, Valentina, et al.
(author)
-
Mismatch Amplification Mutation Assay (MAMA)-Based Real-Time PCR for Rapid Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants in Clinical Specimens
- 2018
-
In: Journal of Clinical Microbiology. - : American society for microbiology. - 0095-1137 .- 1098-660X. ; 56:9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Molecular methods are often used for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) detection, but complete definition of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns still requires phenotypic tests. We developed an assay that both identifies NG and detects AMR determinants in clinical specimens.We designed a mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA)-based SYBR Green real-time PCR targeting: one NG-specific region (opa); mosaic penA alleles (Asp345 deletion, Gly545Ser) associated with decreased susceptibility to cephalosporins; alterations conferring resistance to ciprofloxacin (GyrA: Ser91Phe), azithromycin (23S rRNA: A2059G and C2611T) and spectinomycin (16S rRNA: C1192T). We applied the real-time PCR to 489 clinical specimens, of which 94 had paired culture isolates, and evaluated its performance by comparison with commercial diagnostic molecular and phenotypic tests.Our assay exhibited a sensitivity/specificity of 93%/100%, 96%/85%, 90%/91%, 100%/100% and 100%/90% for the detection of NG directly from urethral, rectal, pharyngeal, cervical and vaginal samples, respectively. The MAMA strategy allowed the detection of AMR mutations by comparing cycle threshold values with the reference opa reaction. The method accurately predicted the phenotype to four antibiotic classes when compared with the MIC values obtained from 94 paired cultures (sensitivity/specificity for cephalosporins, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin and spectinomycin resistance: 100%/95%, 100%/100%, 100%/100% and not applicable (NA)/100%, respectively, in genital specimens; NA/72%, NA/98%, 100%/97%, and NA/96%, respectively, in extra-genital specimens). False-positive results, particularly for the penA Asp345del reaction were observed predominantly in pharyngeal specimens.Our real-time PCR assay is a promising rapid method to identify NG and predict AMR directly in genital specimens, but further optimization for extra-genital specimens is needed.
|
|
29. |
- Donà, Valentina, et al.
(author)
-
Multiplex real-time PCR assay with high-resolution melting analysis for characterization of antimicrobial resistance in neisseria gonorrhoeae
- 2016
-
In: Journal of Clinical Microbiology. - Washington, USA : American Society for Microbiology. - 0095-1137 .- 1098-660X. ; 54:8, s. 2074-2081
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Resistance to antibiotics used against Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections is a major public health concern. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) testing relies on time-consuming culture-based methods. Development of rapid molecular tests for detecting AMR determinants could provide valuable tools for surveillance, epidemiological studies and to inform individual case management. We developed a fast (<1.5 hrs) SYBR-green based real-time PCR method with high resolution melting (HRM) analysis. One triplex and three duplex reactions included two sequences for N. gonorrhoeae identification and seven determinants of resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs), azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and spectinomycin. The method was validated by testing 39 previously fully-characterized N. gonorrhoeae strains, 19 commensal Neisseria spp., and an additional panel of 193 gonococcal isolates. Results were compared with culture-based AMR determination. The assay correctly identified N. gonorrhoeae and the presence or absence of the seven AMR determinants. There was some cross-reactivity with non-gonococcal Neisseria species and the detection limit was 10(3)-10(4) gDNA copies/reaction. Overall, the platform accurately detected resistance to ciprofloxacin (sensitivity and specificity, 100%), ceftriaxone (sensitivity 100%, specificity 90%), cefixime (sensitivity 92%, specificity 94%), azithromycin and spectinomycin (both sensitivity and specificity, 100%). In conclusion, our methodology accurately detects mutations generating resistance to antibiotics used to treat gonorrhea. Low assay sensitivity prevents direct diagnostic testing of clinical specimens but this method can be used to screen collections of gonococcal isolates for AMR more quickly than with current culture-based AMR testing.
|
|
30. |
- Donà, Valentina, et al.
(author)
-
Recent advances in the development and use of molecular tests to predict antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- 2017
-
In: Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1473-7159 .- 1744-8352. ; 17:9, s. 845-859
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: The number of genetic tests, mostly real-time PCRs, to detect antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants and predict AMR in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is increasing. Several of these assays are promising, but there are important shortcomings and few assays have been adequately validated and quality assured.Areas covered: Recent advances, focusing on publications since 2012, in the development and use of molecular tests to predict gonococcal AMR for surveillance and for clinical use, advantages and disadvantages of these tests and of molecular AMR prediction compared with phenotypic AMR testing, and future perspectives for effective use of molecular AMR tests for different purposes.Expert commentary: Several challenges for direct testing of clinical, especially extra-genital, specimens remain. The choice of molecular assay needs to consider the assay target, quality controls, sample types, limitations intrinsic to molecular technologies, and specific to the chosen methodology, and the intended use of the test. Improved molecular- and particularly genome-sequencing-based methods will supplement AMR testing for surveillance purposes, and translate into point-of-care tests that will lead to personalized treatments, while sparing the last available empiric treatment option (ceftriaxone). However, genetic AMR prediction will never completely replace phenotypic AMR testing, which detects also AMR due to unknown AMR determinants.
|
|
31. |
|
|
32. |
- El-Rami, Fadi E., et al.
(author)
-
Quantitative proteomics of the 2016 WHO Neisseria gonorrhoeae reference strains surveys vaccine candidates and antimicrobial resistance determinants
- 2019
-
In: Molecular & Cellular Proteomics. - : American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. - 1535-9476 .- 1535-9484. ; 18:1, s. 127-150
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea (causative agent: Neisseria gonorrhoeae) remains an urgent public health threat globally due to its reproductive health repercussions, high incidence, widespread antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and absence of a vaccine. To mine gonorrhea antigens and enhance our understanding of gonococcal AMR at the proteome level, we performed the first large-scale proteomic profiling of a diverse panel (n=15) of gonococcal strains, including the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) reference strains. These strains show all existing AMR profiles - established through phenotypic characterization and reference genome publication - and are intended for quality assurance in laboratory investigations. Herein, these isolates were subjected to subcellular fractionation and labeling with tandem mass tags coupled to mass spectrometry and multi-combinatorial bioinformatics. Our analyses detected 904 and 723 common proteins in cell envelope and cytoplasmic subproteomes, respectively. We identified nine novel gonorrhea vaccine candidates. Expression and conservation of new and previously selected antigens were investigated. In addition, established gonococcal AMR determinants were evaluated for the first time using quantitative proteomics. Six new proteins, WHO_F_00238, WHO_F_00635c, WHO_F_00745, WHO_F_01139, WHO_F_01144c, and WHO_F_01126, were differentially expressed in all strains, suggesting that they represent global proteomic AMR markers, indicate a predisposition toward developing or compensating gonococcal AMR, and/or act as new antimicrobial targets. Finally, phenotypic clustering based on the isolates' defined antibiograms and common differentially expressed proteins yielded seven matching clusters between established and proteome-derived AMR signatures. Together, our investigations provide a reference proteomics databank for gonococcal vaccine and AMR research endeavors, which enables microbiological, clinical, or epidemiological projects and enhances the utility of the WHO reference strains.
|
|
33. |
|
|
34. |
- Ezewudo, Matthew N., et al.
(author)
-
Population structure of Neisseria gonorrhoeae based on whole genome data and its relationship with antibiotic resistance
- 2015
-
In: PeerJ. - : PeerJ Inc.. - 2167-8359. ; 3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) of major importance. As a result of antibiotic resistance, there are now limited options for treating patients. We collected draft genome sequence data and associated metadata data on 76 N. gonorrhoeae strains from around the globe and searched for known determinants of antibiotics resistance within the strains. The population structure and evolutionary forces within the pathogen population were analyzed. Our results indicated a cosmopolitan gonoccocal population mainly made up of five subgroups. The estimated ratio of recombination to mutation (r/m = 2.2) from our data set indicates an appreciable level of recombination occurring in the population. Strains with resistance phenotypes to more recent antibiotics (azithromycin and cefixime) were mostly found in two of the five population subgroups.
|
|
35. |
|
|
36. |
- Foerster, Sunniva, et al.
(author)
-
A new rapid resazurin-based microdilution assay for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- 2017
-
In: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press. - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 72:7, s. 1961-1968
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Rapid, cost-effective and objective methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae would greatly enhance surveillance of antimicrobial resistance. Etest, disc diffusion and agar dilution methods are subjective, mostly laborious for large-scale testing and take ∼24 h. We aimed to develop a rapid broth microdilution assay using resazurin (blue), which is converted into resorufin (pink fluorescence) in the presence of viable bacteria.Methods: The resazurin-based broth microdilution assay was established using 132 N. gonorrhoeae strains and the antimicrobials ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, spectinomycin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and penicillin. A regression model was used to estimate the MICs. Assay results were obtained in ∼7.5 h.Results: The EC 50 of the dose-response curves correlated well with Etest MIC values (Pearson's r = 0.93). Minor errors resulting from misclassifications of intermediate strains were found for 9% of the samples. Major errors (susceptible strains misclassified as resistant) occurred for ceftriaxone (4.6%), cefixime (3.3%), azithromycin (0.6%) and tetracycline (0.2%). Only one very major error was found (a ceftriaxone-resistant strain misclassified as susceptible). Overall the sensitivity of the assay was 97.1% (95% CI 95.2-98.4) and the specificity 78.5% (95% CI 74.5-82.9).Conclusions: A rapid, objective, high-throughput, quantitative and cost-effective broth microdilution assay was established for gonococci. For use in routine diagnostics without confirmatory testing, the specificity might remain suboptimal for ceftriaxone and cefixime. However, the assay is an effective low-cost method to evaluate novel antimicrobials and for high-throughput screening, and expands the currently available methodologies for surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in gonococci.
|
|
37. |
- Foerster, Sunniva, et al.
(author)
-
Genetic Resistance Determinants, In Vitro Time-Kill Curve Analysis and Pharmacodynamic Functions for the Novel Topoisomerase II Inhibitor ETX0914 (AZD0914) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- 2015
-
In: Frontiers in Microbiology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-302X. ; 6
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae to all available therapeutic antimicrobials has emerged and new efficacious drugs for treatment of gonorrhea are essential. The topoisomerase II inhibitor ETX0914 (also known as AZD0914) is a new spiropyrimidinetrione antimicrobial that has different mechanisms of action from all previous and current gonorrhea treatment options. In this study, the N. gonorrhoeae resistance determinants for ETX0914 were further described and the effects of ETX0914 on the growth of N. gonorrhoeae (ETX0914 wild type, single step selected resistant mutants, and efflux pump mutants) were examined in a novel in vitro time-kill curve analysis to estimate pharmacodynamic parameters of the new antimicrobial. For comparison, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, ceftriaxone, and tetracycline were also examined (separately and in combination with ETX0914). ETX0914 was rapidly bactericidal for all wild type strains and had similar pharmacodynamic properties to ciprofloxacin. All selected resistant mutants contained mutations in amino acid codons D429 or K450 of GyrB and inactivation of the MtrCDE efflux pump fully restored the susceptibility to ETX0914. ETX0914 alone and in combination with azithromycin and ceftriaxone was highly effective against N. gonorrhoeae and synergistic interaction with ciprofloxacin, particularly for ETX0914-resistant mutants, was found. ETX0914, monotherapy or in combination with azithromycin (to cover additional sexually transmitted infections), should be considered for phase III clinical trials and future gonorrhea treatment.
|
|
38. |
- Foerster, Sunniva, et al.
(author)
-
In vitro antimicrobial combination testing of and evolution of resistance to the first-in-class spiropyrimidinetrione zoliflodacin combined with six therapeutically relevant antimicrobials for Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- 2019
-
In: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press. - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 74:12, s. 3521-3529
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae to all gonorrhoea therapeutic antimicrobials has emerged. Novel therapeutic antimicrobials are imperative and the first-in-class spiropyrimidinetrione zoliflodacin appears promising. Zoliflodacin could be introduced in dual antimicrobial therapies to prevent the emergence and/or spread of resistance. We investigated the in vitro activity of and selection of resistance to zoliflodacin alone and in combination with six gonorrhoea therapeutic antimicrobials against N. gonorrhoeae.METHODS: The international gonococcal reference strains WHO F (WT) and WHO O, WHO V and WHO X (strains with different AMR profiles) were examined. Zoliflodacin was evaluated alone or combined with ceftriaxone, cefixime, spectinomycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, cethromycin or sitafloxacin in chequerboard assays, time-kill curve analysis and selection-of-resistance studies.RESULTS: Zoliflodacin alone or in combination with all six antimicrobials showed rapid growth inhibition against all examined strains. The time-kill curve analysis indicated that tetracycline or cethromycin combined with zoliflodacin can significantly decrease the zoliflodacin kill rate in vitro. The frequency of selected zoliflodacin-resistance mutations was low when evaluated as a single agent and further reduced for all antimicrobial combinations. All resistant mutants contained the GyrB mutations D429N, K450T or K450N, resulting in zoliflodacin MICs of 0.5-4 mg/L.CONCLUSIONS: Zoliflodacin, alone or in combination with sexually transmitted infection therapeutic antimicrobials, rapidly kills gonococci with infrequent resistance emergence. Zoliflodacin remains promising for gonorrhoea oral monotherapy and as part of dual antimicrobial therapy with low resistance emergence potential. A Phase III trial evaluating efficacy and safety of zoliflodacin for uncomplicated gonorrhoea treatment is planned in 2019.
|
|
39. |
|
|
40. |
- Foerster, Sunniva, et al.
(author)
-
Time-kill curve analysis and pharmacodynamic modelling for in vitro evaluation of antimicrobials against Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- 2016
-
In: BMC Microbiology. - London, United Kingdom : BioMed Central. - 1471-2180. ; 16
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Resistance to first-line empirical monotherapy has emerged, so robust methods are needed to evaluate the activity of existing and novel antimicrobials against the bacterium. Pharmacodynamic models describing the relationship between the concentration of antimicrobials and the minimum growth rate of the bacteria provide more detailed information than the MIC only.Results: In this study, a novel standardised in vitro time-kill curve assay was developed. The assay was validated using five World Health Organization N. gonorrhoeae reference strains and a range of ciprofloxacin concentrations below and above the MIC. Then the activity of nine antimicrobials with different target mechanisms was examined against a highly antimicrobial susceptible clinical strain isolated in 1964. The experimental time-kill curves were analysed and quantified with a previously established pharmacodynamic model. First, the bacterial growth rates at each antimicrobial concentration were estimated with linear regression. Second, we fitted the model to the growth rates, resulting in four parameters that describe the pharmacodynamic properties of each antimicrobial. A gradual decrease of bactericidal effects from ciprofloxacin to spectinomycin and gentamicin was found. The beta-lactams ceftriaxone, cefixime and benzylpenicillin showed bactericidal and time-dependent properties. Chloramphenicol and tetracycline were purely bacteriostatic as they fully inhibited the growth but did not kill the bacteria. We also tested ciprofloxacin resistant strains and found higher pharmacodynamic MICs (zMIC) in the resistant strains and attenuated bactericidal effects at concentrations above the zMIC.Conclusions: N. gonorrhoeae time-kill curve experiments analysed with a pharmacodynamic model have potential for in vitro evaluation of new and existing antimicrobials. The pharmacodynamic parameters based on a wide range of concentrations below and above the MIC provide information that could support improving future dosing strategies to treat gonorrhoea.
|
|
41. |
- Gianecini, Ricardo A., et al.
(author)
-
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
- 2019
-
In: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press. - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 74:6, s. 1551-1559
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)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.
|
|
42. |
- Golparian, Daniel, 1984-, et al.
(author)
-
Analytical specificity and sensitivity of the novel dual-target GeneProof Neisseria gonorrhoeae PCR kit for detection of N-gonorrhoeae
- 2015
-
In: Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS). - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0903-4641 .- 1600-0463. ; 123:11, s. 955-958
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae relies increasingly on nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). The specificity of many gonococcal NAATs has been suboptimal and supplementary testing remains recommended in Europe and several additional countries. The novel dual-target GeneProofNeisseria gonorrhoeae PCR kit, targeting porA pseudogene and 16S rRNA gene, showed a high specificity and sensitivity when isolates of non-gonococcal Neisseria and related species (n=144), and gonococci (n=104) were tested. However, rare gonococcal porA mutants were only detected in the 16S rRNA gene target and two non-gonococcal isolates showed a low-level cross-reactivity in the 16S rRNA gene target. The detection limit for both targets was 1.5 copies per reaction.
|
|
43. |
- Golparian, Daniel, 1984-, et al.
(author)
-
Antimicrobial resistance prediction and phylogenetic analysis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates using the Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencer
- 2018
-
In: Scientific Reports. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2045-2322. ; 8:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is common, compromising gonorrhoea treatment internationally. Rapid characterisation of AMR strains could ensure appropriate and personalised treatment, and support identification and investigation of gonorrhoea outbreaks in nearly real-time. Whole-genome sequencing is ideal for investigation of emergence and dissemination of AMR determinants, predicting AMR, in the gonococcal population and spread of AMR strains in the human population. The novel, rapid and revolutionary long-read sequencer MinION is a small hand-held device that generates bacterial genomes within one day. However, accuracy of MinION reads has been suboptimal for many objectives and the MinION has not been evaluated for gonococci. In this first MinION study for gonococci, we show that MinION-derived sequences analysed with existing open-access, web-based sequence analysis tools are not sufficiently accurate to identify key gonococcal AMR determinants. Nevertheless, using an in house-developed CLC Genomics Workbench including de novo assembly and optimised BLAST algorithms, we show that 2D ONT-derived sequences can be used for accurate prediction of decreased susceptibility or resistance to recommended antimicrobials in gonococcal isolates. We also show that the 2D ONT-derived sequences are useful for rapid phylogenomic-based molecular epidemiological investigations, and, in hybrid assemblies with Illumina sequences, for producing contiguous assemblies and finished reference genomes.
|
|
44. |
|
|
45. |
- Golparian, Daniel, 1984-, et al.
(author)
-
Multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolate, belonging to the internationally spreading Japanese FC428 clone, with ceftriaxone resistance and intermediate resistance to azithromycin, Ireland, August 2018
- 2018
-
In: Eurosurveillance. - : European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). - 1025-496X .- 1560-7917. ; 23:47, s. 6-9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We describe a multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae urethritis case with ceftriaxone resistance and azithromycin intermediate resistance in a heterosexual man in Ireland, August 2018. Whole-genome sequencing showed that the isolate IR72 belongs to the internationally spreading multidrug-resistant ceftriaxone-resistant FC428 clade, initially described in Japan in 2015. IR72 was assigned MSLT ST1903, NG-MAST ST17842 and NG-STAR type 1133, including the ceftriaxone resistance-mediating penA-60.001. Global awareness of spreading ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcal strains that threaten recommended dual therapies is essential.
|
|
46. |
|
|
47. |
- Gouveia, A. C. Damiao, et al.
(author)
-
In vitro activity of zoliflodacin (ETX0914) against macrolide-resistan fluoroquinolone-resistant and antimicrobial-susceptible Mycoplasma genitalium strains
- 2018
-
In: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press. - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 73:5, s. 1291-1294
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Mycoplasma genitalium is estimated to be the second most common cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infection in Europe. It is of increasing public health concern due to the rapid development of resistance to different antimicrobial classes, including the preferred first- and second-line treatments azithromycin and moxifloxacin. Thus, new antimicrobial agents are urgently needed, especially for the treatment of MDR strains.Methods: The in vitro activity of the new spiropyrimidinetrione zoliflodacin against 47 M. genitalium strains was assessed by growing M. genitalium in Vero cell culture and measuring growth by quantitative PCR. The collection included 34 moxifloxacin-susceptible (MIC <1 mg/L) and 13 moxifloxacin-resistant (MIC >= 1 mg/L) strains. Twenty-three of the strains were azithromycin resistant (MIC >= 16 mg/L) and 12 of these strains were MDR.Results: Only one (2.1%) strain with substantially increased MIC (4 mg/L) and potential resistance to zoliflodacin was found. Zoliflodacin was overall more potent than moxifloxacin (P = 0.009) and no cross-resistance was observed between the two drug classes of topoisomerase II inhibitors. Differences in the MICs of zoliflodacin and azithromycin were not statistically significant; however, 23 (48.9%) compared with potentially 1 (2.1%) of the strains were resistant to azithromycin and zoliflodacin, respectively.Conclusions: Zoliflodacin is a promising candidate for the treatment of M. genitalium and it is important to further develop and evaluate this drug.
|
|
48. |
- Gulati, Sunita, et al.
(author)
-
Utilizing CMP-Sialic Acid Analogs to Unravel Neisseria gonorrhoeae Lipooligosaccharide-Mediated Complement Resistance and Design Novel Therapeutics
- 2015
-
In: PLoS Pathogens. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1553-7366 .- 1553-7374. ; 11:12
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae deploys a novel immune evasion strategy wherein the lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) structure of lipooligosaccharide (LOS) is capped by the bacterial sialyltransferase, using host cytidine-5'-monophosphate (CMP)-activated forms of the ninecarbon nonulosonate (NulO) sugar N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), a sialic acid (Sia) abundant in humans. This allows evasion of complement-mediated killing by recruiting factor H (FH), an inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway, and by limiting classical pathway activation ("serum-resistance"). We utilized CMP salts of six additional natural or synthetic NulOs, Neu5Gc, Neu5Gc8Me, Neu5Ac9Ac, Neu5Ac9Az, legionaminic acid (Leg5Ac7Ac) and pseudaminic acid (Pse5Ac7Ac), to define structural requirements of Sia-mediated serum-resistance. While all NulOs except Pse5Ac7Ac were incorporated into the LNnT-LOS, only Neu5Gc incorporation yielded high-level serum-resistance and FH binding that was comparable to Neu5Ac, whereas Neu5Ac9Az and Leg5Ac7Ac incorporation left bacteria fully serum-sensitive and did not enhance FH binding. Neu5Ac9Ac and Neu5Gc8Me rendered bacteria resistant only to low serum concentrations. While serum-resistance mediated by Neu5Ac was associated with classical pathway inhibition (decreased IgG binding and C4 deposition), Leg5Ac7Ac and Neu5Ac9Az incorporation did not inhibit the classical pathway. Remarkably, CMP-Neu5Ac9Az and CMP-Leg5Ac7Ac each prevented serum-resistance despite a 100-fold molar excess of CMP-Neu5Ac in growth media. The concomitant presence of Leg5Ac7Ac and Neu5Ac on LOS resulted in uninhibited classical pathway activation. Surprisingly, despite near-maximal FH binding in this instance, the alternative pathway was not regulated and factor Bb remained associated with bacteria. Intravaginal administration of CMP-Leg5Ac7Ac to BALB/c mice infected with gonorrhea (including a multidrug-resistant isolate) reduced clearance times and infection burden. Bacteria recovered from CMP-Leg5Ac7Ac-treated mice were sensitive to human complement ex vivo, simulating in vitro findings. These data reveal critical roles for the Sia exocyclic side-chain in gonococcal serum-resistance. Such CMP-NulO analogs may provide a novel therapeutic strategy against the global threat of multidrug-resistant gonorrhea.
|
|
49. |
- Guschin, Alexander, et al.
(author)
-
Treatment efficacy, treatment failures and selection of macrolide resistance in patients with high load of Mycoplasma genitalium during treatment of male urethritis with josamycin
- 2015
-
In: BMC Infectious Diseases. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2334. ; 15
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Azithromycin has been widely used for Mycoplasma genitalium treatment internationally. However, the eradication efficacy has substantially declined recent decade. In Russia, josamycin (another macrolide) is the recommended first-line treatment for M. genitalium infections, however, no data regarding treatment efficacy with josamycin and resistance in M. genitalium infections have been internationally published. We examined the M. genitalium prevalence in males attending an STI clinic in Moscow, Russia from December 2006 to January 2008, investigated treatment efficacy with josamycin in male urethritis, and monitored the M. genitalium DNA eradication dynamics and selection of macrolide resistance in M. genitalium during this treatment.Methods: Microscopy and real-time PCRs were used to diagnose urethritis and non-viral STIs, respectively, in males (n = 320). M. genitalium positive patients were treated with recommended josamycin regimen and treatment efficacy was monitored using quantitative real-time PCR. Macrolide resistance mutations were identified using sequencing of the 23S rRNA gene.Results: Forty-seven (14.7%) males were positive for M. genitalium only and most (85.1%) of these had symptoms and signs of urethritis. Forty-six (97.9%) males agreed to participate in the treatment efficacy monitoring. All the pre-treatment M. genitalium specimens had wild-type 23S rRNA. The elimination of M. genitalium DNA was substantially faster in patients with lower pre-treatment M. genitalium load, and the total eradication rate was 43/46 (93.5%). Of the six patients with high pre-treatment M. genitalium load, three (50%) remained positive post-treatment and these positive specimens contained macrolide resistance mutations in the 23S rRNA gene, i.e., A2059G (n = 2) and A2062G (n = 1).Conclusions: M. genitalium was a frequent cause of male urethritis in Moscow, Russia. The pre-treatment M. genitalium load might be an effective predictor of eradication efficacy with macrolides (and possibly additional antimicrobials) and selection of macrolide resistance. Additional in vivo and in vitro data are crucial to support the recommendation of using josamycin as first-line treatment for M. genitalium infections in Russia. It would be valuable to develop international M. genitalium management guidelines, and quantitative diagnostic PCRs determining also M. genitalium load and resistance mutations (for macrolides and ideally also moxifloxacin) should ideally be recommended.
|
|
50. |
- Guy, Rebecca J., et al.
(author)
-
Performance and operational characteristics of point-of-care tests for the diagnosis of urogenital gonococcal infections
- 2017
-
In: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 93:Suppl. 4, s. S16-S21
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: In 2012, there was an estimated 78 million new cases of gonorrhoea globally. Untreated infection may lead to reproductive and neonatal morbidity and facilitate HIV transmission. Diagnosis and treatment are a priority for control and prevention, yet use of point-of-care tests (POCTs) for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) is limited.Objectives: To review the performance and operational characteristics of NG POCTs for diagnosis of urogenital gonorrhoea.Methods: We compiled and synthesised findings from two separate systematic reviews which included evaluations published until August 2015. Results: Six tests were included: five were immunochromatographic tests (ICTs) or optical immunoassay (OIAs) based on antigen detection; with 5-7 steps and results in 25-40 min, and one (GeneXpert CT/NG) was a 'near-patient test' based on nucleic acid amplification technique (NAAT); with three steps, electricity required, and results in 90 min. When compared with laboratory-based NAATs as the reference tests, sensitivities of ICT and OIA-based POCTs ranged from 12.5% to 70% when cervical/vaginal swabs were tested. Specificities ranged from 89% to 99.8%. The near-patient NAAT had sensitivities of >95% and specificities of >99.8% consistently across all specimen types (urine, cervical and vaginal swabs).Conclusions: Based on a limited number of evaluations, antigen detection POCTs for NG lacked sufficient sensitivity to be used for screening. A near-patient NAAT has acceptable performance, only involved a few steps, but needs electricity, a temperature-controlled environment and has a 90 min run time. To achieve wider scale up of NG POCTs, we need strong evidence of cost-effectiveness, which should inform guidelines and ultimately increase test development, demand and reduce costs.
|
|