The impact of antimicrobials on gonococcal evolution.
Leonor Sánchez-Busó1, Daniel Golparian2, Jukka Corander1,3,4
1Pathogen Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK.
Nature Microbiology
|July 31, 2019
Summary
Modern Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a superbug threat, likely originated in Europe or Africa around the 16th century. Antimicrobial use has driven the evolution of distinct lineages impacting treatment and spread.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a significant sexually transmitted pathogen.
- The bacterium is evolving into a multidrug-resistant superbug, posing a global health threat.
- Understanding its evolutionary history and response to antimicrobials is crucial for effective control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the origin and global dissemination of modern Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- To explore the impact of antimicrobial use on gonococcal evolution and population structure.
- To identify distinct evolutionary lineages and their associated transmission networks.
Main Methods:
- Genome-based phylogeographical analysis.
- Analysis of 419 Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from diverse global locations.
- Comparative genomics to identify evolutionary strategies and recombination rates.
Main Results:
- Modern gonococci likely originated in Europe or Africa around the 16th century and subsequently spread worldwide.
- Antimicrobial selective pressures have shaped the gonococcal population, leading to two major lineages.
- A multidrug-resistant lineage exhibits high recombination rates and association with high-risk sexual networks.
- A multisusceptible lineage is more prevalent in heterosexual networks, with implications for infection control.
Conclusions:
- The evolutionary trajectory of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is strongly influenced by antimicrobial use.
- Distinct lineages with differing evolutionary strategies and transmission patterns have emerged.
- Understanding these lineages is vital for developing targeted infection control strategies against this superbug.
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