Browsing by Author "Hoffmann, Steen"
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- Europe-wide expansion and eradication of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae lineages: a genomic surveillance studyPublication . Sánchez-Busó, Leonor; Cole, Michelle J.; Spiteri, Gianfranco; Day, Michaela; Jacobsson, Susanne; Golparian, Daniel; Sajedi, Noshin; Yeats, Corin A.; Abudahab, Khalil; Underwood, Anthony; Bluemel, Benjamin; Aanensen, David M.; Unemo, Magnus; Pleininger, Sonja; Indra, Alexander; De Baetselier, Irith; Vanden Berghe, Wim; Hunjak, Blaženka; Blažić, Tatjana Nemeth; Maikanti-Charalambous, Panayiota; Pieridou, Despo; Zákoucká, Hana; Žemličková, Helena; Hoffmann, Steen; Cowan, Susan; Schwartz, Lasse Jessen; Peetso, Rita; Epstein, Jevgenia; Viktorova, Jelena; Ndeikoundam, Ndeindo; Bercot, Beatrice; Bébéar, Cécile; Lot, Florence; Buder, Susanne; Jansen, Klaus; Miriagou, Vivi; Rigakos, Georgios; Raftopoulos, Vasilios; Balla, Eszter; Dudás, Mária; Ásmundsdóttir, Lena Rós; Sigmundsdóttir, Guðrún; Hauksdóttir, Guðrún Svanborg; Gudnason, Thorolfur; Colgan, Aoife; Crowley, Brendan; Saab, Sinéad; Stefanelli, Paola; Carannante, Anna; Parodi, Patrizia; Pakarna, Gatis; Nikiforova, Raina; Bormane, Antra; Dimina, Elina; Perrin, Monique; Abdelrahman, Tamir; Mossong, Joël; Schmit, Jean-Claude; Mühlschlegel, Friedrich; Barbara, Christopher; Mifsud, Francesca; Van Dam, Alje; Van Benthem, Birgit; Visser, Maartje; Linde, Ineke; Kløvstad, Hilde; Caugant, Dominique; Młynarczyk-Bonikowska, Beata; Azevedo, Jacinta; Borrego, Maria-José; Nascimento, Marina Lurdes Ramos; Pavlik, Peter; Klavs, Irena; Murnik, Andreja; Jeverica, Samo; Kustec, Tanja; Vázquez Moreno, Julio; Diaz, Asuncion; Abad, Raquel; Velicko, Inga; Unemo, Magnus; Fifer, Helen; Shepherd, Jill; Patterson, LynseyBackground: Genomic surveillance using quality-assured whole-genome sequencing (WGS) together with epidemiological and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data is essential to characterise the circulating Neisseria gonorrhoeae lineages and their association to patient groups (defined by demographic and epidemiological factors). In 2013, the European gonococcal population was characterised genomically for the first time. We describe the European gonococcal population in 2018 and identify emerging or vanishing lineages associated with AMR and epidemiological characteristics of patients, to elucidate recent changes in AMR and gonorrhoea epidemiology in Europe. Methods: We did WGS on 2375 gonococcal isolates from 2018 (mainly Sept 1-Nov 30) in 26 EU and EEA countries. Molecular typing and AMR determinants were extracted from quality-checked genomic data. Association analyses identified links between genomic lineages, AMR, and epidemiological data. Findings: Azithromycin-resistant N gonorrhoeae (8·0% [191/2375] in 2018) is rising in Europe due to the introduction or emergence and subsequent expansion of a novel N gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) genogroup, G12302 (132 [5·6%] of 2375; N gonorrhoeae sequence typing for antimicrobial resistance [NG-STAR] clonal complex [CC]168/63), carrying a mosaic mtrR promoter and mtrD sequence and found in 24 countries in 2018. CC63 was associated with pharyngeal infections in men who have sex with men. Susceptibility to ceftriaxone and cefixime is increasing, as the resistance-associated lineage, NG-MAST G1407 (51 [2·1%] of 2375), is progressively vanishing since 2009-10. Interpretation: Enhanced gonococcal AMR surveillance is imperative worldwide. WGS, linked to epidemiological and AMR data, is essential to elucidate the dynamics in gonorrhoea epidemiology and gonococcal populations as well as to predict AMR. When feasible, WGS should supplement the national and international AMR surveillance programmes to elucidate AMR changes over time. In the EU and EEA, increasing low-level azithromycin resistance could threaten the recommended ceftriaxone-azithromycin dual therapy, and an evidence-based clinical azithromycin resistance breakpoint is needed. Nevertheless, increasing ceftriaxone susceptibility, declining cefixime resistance, and absence of known resistance mutations for new treatments (zoliflodacin, gepotidacin) are promising.
- Implications of differential age distribution of disease-associated meningococcal lineages for vaccine developmentPublication . Brehony, Carina; Trotter, Caroline L.; Ramsay, Mary E.; Jolley, Keith A.; van der Ende, Arie; Carion, Françoise; Berthelsen, Lene; Hoffmann, Steen; Harðardóttir, Hjördís; Vazquez, Julio A.; Murphy, Karen; Toropainen, Maija; Caniça, Manuela; Ferreira, Eugenia; Diggle, Mathew; Edwards, Giles F; Taha, Muhamed-Kheir; Stefanelli, Paola; Kriz, Paula; Gray, Steve J.; Fox, Andrew J.; Jacobsson, Susanne; Claus, Heike; Vogel, Ulrich; Tzanakaki, Georgina; Heuberger, Sigrid; Caugant, Dominique A.; Frosch, Matthias; Maiden, Martin C. J.New vaccines targeting meningococci expressing serogroup B polysaccharide have been developed, with some being licensed in Europe. Coverage depends on the distribution of disease-associated genotypes, which may vary by age. It is well established that a small number of hyperinvasive lineages account for most disease, and these lineages are associated with particular antigens, including vaccine candidates. A collection of 4,048 representative meningococcal disease isolates from 18 European countries, collected over a 3-year period, were characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Age data were available for 3,147 isolates. The proportions of hyperinvasive lineages, identified as particular clonal complexes (ccs) by MLST, differed among age groups. Subjects <1 year of age experienced lower risk of sequence type 11 (ST-11) cc, ST-32 cc, and ST-269 cc disease and higher risk of disease due to unassigned STs, 1- to 4-year-olds experienced lower risk of ST-11 cc and ST-32 cc disease, 5- to 14-year-olds were less likely to experience ST-11 cc and ST-269 cc disease, and ≥25-year-olds were more likely to experience disease due to less common ccs and unassigned STs. Younger and older subjects were vulnerable to a more diverse set of genotypes, indicating the more clonal nature of genotypes affecting adolescents and young adults. Knowledge of temporal and spatial diversity and the dynamics of meningococcal populations is essential for disease control by vaccines, as coverage is lineage specific. The nonrandom age distribution of hyperinvasive lineages has consequences for the design and implementation of vaccines, as different variants, or perhaps targets, may be required for different age groups.
- Significant increase in azithromycin “resistance” and susceptibility to ceftriaxone and cefixime in Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in 26 European countries, 2019Publication . Day, Michaela J.; Jacobsson, Susanne; Spiteri, Gianfranco; Kulishev, Carina; Sajedi, Noshin; Woodford, Neil; Blumel, Benjamin; van der Werf, Marieke J.; Amato-Gauci, Andrew J.; Unemo, Magnus; Cole, Michelle J.; Eder, Claudia; Pleininger, Sonja; Huhlescu, Steliana; de Baetselier, Irith; Hunjak, Blaženka; Blažić, Tatjana Nemeth; Maikanti-Charalampous, Panagiota; Pieridou, Despo; Zákoucká, Hana; Žemličková, Helena; Hoffmann, Steen; Cowan, Susan; Peetso, Rita; Viktorova, Jelena; Ndeikoundam, Ndeindo; Bercot, Beatrice; Sampo, Anu Patari; Kirjavainen, Vesa; Buder, Susanne; Jansen, Klaus; Miriagou, Vivi; Balla, Eszter; Dudás, Mária; Sigmundsdóttir, Guðrún; Asmundsdottir, Lena Ros; Saab, Sinead; Crowley, Brendan; Carannante, Anna; Stefanelli, Paola; Pakarna, Gatis; Mavcutko, Violeta; Cassar, Robert; Barbara, Christopher; Vella, Francesca; Van Dam, Alje; Linde, Ineke; Caugant, Dominique; Kløvstad, Hilde; Mlynarczyk-Bonikowska, Beata; Borrego, Maria-José; Pavlik, Peter; Klavs, Irena; Kustec, Tanja; Vazquez, Julio; Diaz, Asuncion; Torreblanca, Raquel Abad; Velicko, Inga; Unemo, Magnus; Fifer, Helen; Templeton, KateBackground: The European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (Euro-GASP) performs annual sentinel surveillance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae susceptibility to therapeutically relevant antimicrobials across the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). We present the Euro-GASP results from 2019 (26 countries), linked to patient epidemiological data, and compared with data from previous years. Methods: Agar dilution and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) gradient strip methodologies were used to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility (using EUCAST clinical breakpoints, where available) of 3239 N. gonorrhoeae isolates from 26 countries across the EU/EEA. Significance of differences compared with Euro-GASP results in previous years was analysed using Z-test and the Pearson's χ2 test was used to assess significance of odds ratios for associations between patient epidemiological data and antimicrobial resistance. Results: European N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected between 2016 and 2019 displayed shifting MIC distributions for; ceftriaxone, with highly susceptible isolates increasing over time and occasional resistant isolates each year; cefixime, with highly-susceptible isolates becoming increasingly common; azithromycin, with a shift away from lower MICs towards higher MICs above the EUCAST epidemiological cut-off (ECOFF); and ciprofloxacin which is displaying a similar shift in MICs as observed for azithromycin. In 2019, two isolates displayed ceftriaxone resistance, but both isolates had MICs below the azithromycin ECOFF. Cefixime resistance (0.8%) was associated with patient sex, with resistance higher in females compared with male heterosexuals and men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM). The number of countries reporting isolates with azithromycin MICs above the ECOFF increased from 76.9% (20/26) in 2016 to 92.3% (24/26) in 2019. Isolates with azithromycin MICs above the ECOFF (9.0%) were associated with pharyngeal infection sites. Following multivariable analysis, ciprofloxacin resistance remained associated with isolates from MSM and heterosexual males compared with females, the absence of a concurrent chlamydial infection, pharyngeal infection sites and patients ≥ 25 years of age. Conclusions: Resistance to ceftriaxone and cefixime remained uncommon in EU/EEA countries in 2019 with a significant decrease in cefixime resistance observed between 2016 and 2019. The significant increase in azithromycin "resistance" (azithromycin MICs above the ECOFF) threatens the effectiveness of the dual therapy (ceftriaxone + azithromycin), i.e., for ceftriaxone-resistant cases, currently recommended in many countries internationally and requires close monitoring.
- Ten years of external quality assessment (EQA) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility testing in Europe elucidate high reliability of dataPublication . Cole, Michelle J.; Quaye, Nerteley; Jacobsson, Susanne; Day, Michaela; Fagan, Elizabeth; Ison, Catherine; Pitt, Rachel; Seaton, Shila; Woodford, Neil; Stary, Angelika; Pleininger, Sonja; Crucitti, Tania; Hunjak, Blaženka; Maikanti, Panayiota; Hoffmann, Steen; Viktorova, Jelena; Buder, Susanne; Kohl, Peter; Tzelepi, Eva; Siatravani, Eirini; Balla, Eszter; Hauksdóttir, Guðrún Svanborg; Rose, Lisa; Stefanelli, Paola; Carannante, Anna; Pakarna, Gatis; Mifsud, Francesca; Cassar, Rosann Zammit; Linde, Ineke; Bergheim, Thea; Steinbakk, Martin; Mlynarczyk-Bonikowska, Beata; Borrego, Maria-José; Shepherd, Jill; Pavlik, Peter; Jeverica, Samo; Vazquez, Julio; Abad, Raquel; Weiss, Sabrina; Spiteri, Gianfranco; Unemo, MagnusBackground: Confidence in any diagnostic and antimicrobial susceptibility testing data is provided by appropriate and regular quality assurance (QA) procedures. In Europe, the European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Susceptibility Programme (Euro-GASP) has been monitoring the antimicrobial susceptibility in Neisseria gonorrhoeae since 2004. Euro-GASP includes an external quality assessment (EQA) scheme as an essential component for a quality-assured laboratory-based surveillance programme. Participation in the EQA scheme enables any problems with the performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing to be identified and addressed, feeds into the curricula of laboratory training organised by the Euro-GASP network, and assesses the capacity of individual laboratories to detect emerging new, rare and increasing antimicrobial resistance phenotypes. Participant performance in the Euro-GASP EQA scheme over a 10 year period (2007 to 2016, no EQA in 2013) was evaluated. Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility category and MIC results from the first 5 years (2007-2011) of the Euro-GASP EQA were compared with the latter 5 years (2012-2016). These time periods were selected to assess the impact of the 2012 European Union case definitions for the reporting of antimicrobial susceptibility. Results: Antimicrobial susceptibility category agreement in each year was ≥91%. Discrepancies in susceptibility categories were generally because the MICs for EQA panel isolates were on or very close to the susceptibility or resistance breakpoints. A high proportion of isolates tested over the 10 years were within one (≥90%) or two (≥97%) MIC log2 dilutions of the modal MIC, respectively. The most common method used was Etest on GC agar base. There was a shift to using breakpoints published by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) in the latter 5 years, however overall impact on the validity of results was limited, as the percentage categorical agreement and MIC concordance changed very little between the two five-year periods. Conclusions: The high level of comparability of results in this EQA scheme indicates that high quality data are produced by the Euro-GASP participants and gives confidence in susceptibility and resistance data generated by laboratories performing decentralised testing.
- WGS analysis and molecular resistance mechanisms of azithromycin-resistant (MIC >2 mg/L) Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in Europe from 2009 to 2014Publication . Jacobsson, Susanne; Golparian, Daniel; Cole, Michelle; Spiteri, Gianfranco; Martin, Irene; Bergheim, Thea; Borrego, Maria José; Crowley, Brendan; Crucitti, Tania; Van Dam, Alje P.; Hoffmann, Steen; Jeverica, Samo; Kohl, Peter; Mlynarczyk-Bonikowska, Beata; Pakarna, Gatis; Stary, Angelika; Stefanelli, Paola; Pavlik, Peter; Tzelepi, Eva; Abad, Raquel; Harris, Simon R.; Unemo, MagnusOBJECTIVES: 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.