Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and molecular characterization of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Ghana, 2012-2015

PLoS One. 2019 Oct 10;14(10):e0223598. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223598. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance is essential for tracking the emergence and spread of AMR strains in local, national and international populations. This is crucial for developing or refining treatment guidelines. N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) is beneficial for describing the molecular epidemiology of gonococci at national and international levels. Elucidation of AMR determinants to β-lactam drugs, is a means of monitoring the development of resistance. In Ghana, little is known about the current gonococcal AMR prevalence and no characterization of gonococcal isolates has been previously performed. In this study, gonococcal isolates (n = 44) collected from five health facilities in Ghana from 2012 to 2015, were examined using AMR testing, NG-MAST and sequencing of penA. High rates of resistance were identified to tetracycline (100%), benzylpenicillin (90.9%), and ciprofloxacin (81.8%). One isolate had a high cefixime MIC (0.75 μg/ml). Twenty-eight NG-MAST sequence types (STs) were identified, seventeen of which were novel. The isolate with the high cefixime MIC contained a mosaic penA-34 allele and belonged to NG-MAST ST1407, an internationally spreading multidrug-resistant clone that has accounted for most cefixime resistance in many countries. In conclusion, AMR testing, NG-MAST, and sequencing of the AMR determinant penA, revealed high rates of resistance to tetracycline, benzylpenicillin, and ciprofloxacin; as well as a highly diverse population of N. gonorrhoeae in Ghana. It is imperative to continue with enhanced AMR surveillance and to understand the molecular epidemiology of gonococcal strains circulating in Ghana and other African countries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antigens, Bacterial / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Ghana
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multilocus Sequence Typing
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / classification
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / drug effects*
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / genetics*
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / isolation & purification
  • Penicillin-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • Penicillin-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Phylogeny
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Penicillin-Binding Proteins

Grants and funding

N. Adams, C.A.D., N. Attram, and A.G.L. were recipients of a grant by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch (AFHSB) and its GEIS (Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response) Section under award ID 20160380103. One of the funding body Directors had a role in study design.