WGS analysis and molecular resistance mechanisms of azithromycin-resistant (MIC >2 mg/L) Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in Europe from 2009 to 2014

Susanne Jacobsson, Daniel Golparian, Michelle Cole, Gianfranco Spiteri, Irene Martin, Thea Bergheim, Maria José Borrego, Brendan Crowley, Tania Crucitti, Alje P Van Dam, Steen Hoffmann, Samo Jeverica, Peter Kohl, Beata Mlynarczyk-Bonikowska, Gatis Pakarna, Angelika Stary, Paola Stefanelli, Peter Pavlik, Eva Tzelepi, Raquel AbadSimon R Harris, Magnus Unemo

    Research output: Contribution to journalA1: Web of Science-articlepeer-review

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the genome-based epidemiology and phylogenomics of azithromycin-resistant (MIC >2 mg/L) Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains collected in 2009-14 in Europe and clarify the azithromycin resistance mechanisms.

    METHODS: Seventy-five azithromycin-resistant (MIC 4 to >256 mg/L) N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected in 17 European countries during 2009-14 were examined using antimicrobial susceptibility testing and WGS.

    RESULTS: Thirty-six N. gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing STs and five phylogenomic clades, including 4-22 isolates from several countries per clade, were identified. The azithromycin target mutation A2059G (Escherichia coli numbering) was found in all four alleles of the 23S rRNA gene in all isolates with high-level azithromycin resistance (n = 4; MIC ≥256 mg/L). The C2611T mutation was identified in two to four alleles of the 23S rRNA gene in the remaining 71 isolates. Mutations in mtrR and its promoter were identified in 43 isolates, comprising isolates within the whole azithromycin MIC range. No mutations associated with azithromycin resistance were found in the rplD gene or the rplV gene and none of the macrolide resistance-associated genes [mef(A/E), ere(A), ere(B), erm(A), erm(B), erm(C) and erm(F)] were identified in any isolate.

    CONCLUSIONS: Clonal spread of relatively few N. gonorrhoeae strains accounts for the majority of the azithromycin resistance (MIC >2 mg/L) in Europe. The four isolates with high-level resistance to azithromycin (MIC ≥256 mg/L) were widely separated in the phylogenomic tree and did not belong to any of the main clades. The main azithromycin resistance mechanisms were the A2059G mutation (high-level resistance) and the C2611T mutation (low- and moderate-level resistance) in the 23S rRNA gene.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
    Volume71
    Issue number11
    Pages (from-to)3109-3116
    Number of pages8
    ISSN0305-7453
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2016

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