Bridging of Neisseria gonorrhoeae lineages across sexual networks in the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis era

Deborah A Williamson; Eric P F Chow; Claire L Gorrie; Torsten Seemann; Danielle J Ingle; Nasra Higgins; Marion Easton; George Taiaroa; Yonatan H Grad; Jason C Kwong; Christopher K Fairley; Marcus Y Chen; Benjamin P Howden

doi:10.1038/s41467-019-12053-4

Bridging of Neisseria gonorrhoeae lineages across sexual networks in the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis era

Nat Commun. 2019 Sep 5;10(1):3988. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-12053-4.

Authors

Deborah A Williamson¹, Eric P F Chow^{2

3}, Claire L Gorrie⁴, Torsten Seemann^{4

5}, Danielle J Ingle^{4

6}, Nasra Higgins⁷, Marion Easton⁷, George Taiaroa⁴, Yonatan H Grad⁸, Jason C Kwong⁴, Christopher K Fairley^{2

3}, Marcus Y Chen^{2

3}, Benjamin P Howden⁴

Affiliations

¹ Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia. deborah.williamson@unimelb.edu.au.
² Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia.
³ Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁴ Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia.
⁵ Melbourne Bioinformatics Group, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁶ National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
⁷ Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, Melbourne, Australia.
⁸ Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.

Abstract

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has been used to investigate transmission of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but to date, most studies have not combined genomic data with detailed information on sexual behaviour to define the extent of transmission across population risk groups (bridging). Here, through combined epidemiological and genomic analysis of 2,186N. gonorrhoeae isolates from Australia, we show widespread transmission of N. gonorrhoeae within and between population groups. We describe distinct transmission clusters associated with men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexuals, and men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) are identified as a possible bridging population between these groups. Further, the study identifies transmission of N. gonorrhoeae between HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Our data highlight several groups that can be targeted for interventions aimed at improving gonorrhoea control, including returning travellers, sex workers, and PrEP users.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Female
Gonorrhea / drug therapy*
Gonorrhea / epidemiology*
Gonorrhea / transmission
HIV Infections / epidemiology*
HIV Infections / prevention & control
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Male
Neisseria gonorrhoeae / genetics*
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis*
Risk Factors
Sex Workers
Sexual Behavior*
Sexual Partners
Sexual and Gender Minorities
Victoria
Whole Genome Sequencing*
Young Adult