Hongren Wang1, Youwei Wang2, Gang Yong2, Xueru Li2, Linchong Yu2, Shuaijing Ma1, Tao Luo1. 1. Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. 2. Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To verify the contribution of the globally disseminated Neisseria gonorrhoeae FC428 clone to the emergence of ceftriaxone resistance in Chengdu in south-west China during 2018. METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility of the N. gonorrhoeae isolates to six antibiotics was determined using the agar dilution method. A real-time PCR assay and WGS were used to identify the FC428 clone. Phylogenomic and molecular antimicrobial resistance analyses were conducted to characterize the transmission and evolution of related strains. RESULTS: Four out of 112 N. gonorrhoeae isolates were confirmed as the ceftriaxone-resistant FC428 clone. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that they resulted from multiple introductions and subsequent local transmissions. The strains have undergone further evolutions characterized by the accumulation of mutations in resistance-associated genes and/or the acquisition of plasmids encoding penicillin and tetracycline resistance genes. CONCLUSIONS: The N. gonorrhoeae FC428 clone has spread to south-west China. Efforts should be made to enhance gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance to control further dissemination of this successful clone at both local and national levels.
OBJECTIVES: To verify the contribution of the globally disseminated Neisseria gonorrhoeae FC428 clone to the emergence of ceftriaxone resistance in Chengdu in south-west China during 2018. METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility of the N. gonorrhoeae isolates to six antibiotics was determined using the agar dilution method. A real-time PCR assay and WGS were used to identify the FC428 clone. Phylogenomic and molecular antimicrobial resistance analyses were conducted to characterize the transmission and evolution of related strains. RESULTS: Four out of 112 N. gonorrhoeae isolates were confirmed as the ceftriaxone-resistant FC428 clone. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that they resulted from multiple introductions and subsequent local transmissions. The strains have undergone further evolutions characterized by the accumulation of mutations in resistance-associated genes and/or the acquisition of plasmids encoding penicillin and tetracycline resistance genes. CONCLUSIONS: The N. gonorrhoeae FC428 clone has spread to south-west China. Efforts should be made to enhance gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance to control further dissemination of this successful clone at both local and national levels.