Commensal Neisseria and Antimicrobial-Resistant Gonorrhea
Crista B Wadsworth1, Maira Goytia2, William M Shafer3,4
1Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, USA.
Annual Review of Microbiology
|October 23, 2025
Summary
Commensal Neisseria bacteria can transfer antimicrobial resistance genes to gonorrhea pathogens. Understanding this gene flow is crucial for predicting future treatment effectiveness against gonorrhea.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae poses a significant public health threat.
- Commensal Neisseria species share genetic material with pathogenic Neisseria, influencing resistance evolution.
- Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) mechanisms like transformation and conjugation facilitate resistance spread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of commensal Neisseria in the evolution of antimicrobial resistance.
- To review resistance mechanisms in commensals and their transfer to Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- To discuss how selective pressures impact the genus Neisseria.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of HGT mechanisms in Neisseria.
- Analysis of resistance gene evolution and transfer pathways.
- Discussion of evolutionary trajectories under selective pressures.
Main Results:
- Commensal Neisseria act as reservoirs for adaptive resistance genes.
- HGT enables the rapid dissemination of resistance alleles (e.g., mosaic penA, mtr).
- Contemporary selective pressures are shaping the genus's future evolution.
Conclusions:
- Commensal Neisseria are critical in the development and spread of gonorrhea antimicrobial resistance.
- Ignoring commensal Neisseria hinders accurate prediction of antimicrobial efficacy for gonorrhea treatment.
- Future strategies must incorporate commensal Neisseria dynamics to combat gonorrhea resistance.
More Related Videos
07:26Metal-Limited Growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae for Characterization of Metal-Responsive Genes and Metal Acquisition from Host Ligands
Published on: March 4, 2020
6.0K
07:23Fluorescence Microscopy Methods for Determining the Viability of Bacteria in Association with Mammalian Cells
Published on: September 5, 2013
44.6K
Related Concept Videos
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
916
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
916
01:29Bacterial Phylum Chlamydiae
422
The phylum Chlamydiae or Chlamydiota is composed of a single order, Chlamydiales. This phylum consists entirely of obligate intracellular parasites that infect eukaryotic hosts. While human pathogens within this group have been studied extensively, the phylum encompasses many species capable of interacting with various eukaryotic organisms. Members of Chlamydiae are typically small cocci, approximately 0.5 μm in diameter, and exhibit a distinctive developmental cycle. As is characteristic...
422
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
2.6K
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
2.6K
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness
898
The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
898
01:30Development of Antibiotic Resistance
1.3K
Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
1.3K
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
2.6K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
2.6K