Commensal Neisseria Are Shared between Sexual Partners: Implications for Gonococcal and Meningococcal Antimicrobial
Christophe Van Dijck1, Jolein G E Laumen1, Sheeba S Manoharan-Basil1
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.
Abstract:
Antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic Neisseria parallels reduced antimicrobial susceptibility in commensal Neisseria in certain populations, like men who have sex with men (MSM). Although this reduced susceptibility can be a consequence of frequent antimicrobial exposure at the individual level, we hypothesized that commensal Neisseria are transmitted between sexual partners. We used data from a 2014 microbiome study in which saliva and tongue swabs were taken from 21 couples (42 individuals). Samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We compared intimate partners with unrelated individuals and found that the oral Neisseria communities of intimate partners were more similar than those of unrelated individuals (average Morisita-Horn dissimilarity index for saliva samples: 0.54 versus 0.71, respectively (p = 0.005); and for tongue swabs: 0.42 versus 0.63, respectively (p = 0.006)). This similarity presumably results from transmission of oral Neisseria through intimate kissing. This finding suggests that intensive gonorrhea screening in MSM may, via increased antimicrobial exposure, promote, rather than prevent, the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria. Non-antibiotic strategies such as vaccines and oral antiseptics could prove more sustainable options to reduce gonococcal prevalence.
Insights
Commensal Neisseria bacteria are transmitted between sexual partners, potentially increasing antimicrobial resistance. This suggests non-antibiotic strategies may be more effective for controlling Neisseria infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic Neisseria is a growing concern.
- Reduced antimicrobial susceptibility in commensal Neisseria has been observed in specific populations, such as men who have sex with men (MSM).
- This reduced susceptibility may be linked to frequent antimicrobial exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that commensal Neisseria are transmitted between sexual partners.
- To explore the relationship between intimate partnerships and oral Neisseria community similarity.
- To understand the implications for antimicrobial resistance spread.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from a 2014 microbiome study involving 21 couples (42 individuals).
- Collected saliva and tongue swab samples.
- Analyzed microbial communities using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- Compared oral Neisseria communities between intimate partners and unrelated individuals using the Morisita-Horn dissimilarity index.
Main Results:
- Oral Neisseria communities were significantly more similar between intimate partners than unrelated individuals.
- Saliva samples showed an average Morisita-Horn dissimilarity of 0.54 for partners vs. 0.71 for unrelated individuals (p = 0.005).
- Tongue swabs showed an average Morisita-Horn dissimilarity of 0.42 for partners vs. 0.63 for unrelated individuals (p = 0.006).
- This similarity suggests transmission via intimate kissing.
Conclusions:
- Intimate kissing facilitates the transmission of oral Neisseria between partners.
- Intensive gonorrhea screening in MSM, leading to increased antimicrobial exposure, might inadvertently promote Neisseria antimicrobial resistance.
- Non-antibiotic interventions, such as vaccines and oral antiseptics, are proposed as more sustainable strategies to reduce gonococcal prevalence.
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