Global Emergence and Dissemination of Neisseria gonorrhoeae ST-9363 Isolates with Reduced Susceptibility to Azithromycin

Neisseria gonorrhoeae multilocus sequence type (ST) 9363 core-genogroup isolates have been associated with reduced azithromycin susceptibility (AZM(rs)) and show evidence of clonal expansion in the United States. Here, we analyze a global collection of ST-9363 core-genogroup genomes to shed light on the emergence and dissemination of this strain. The global population structure of ST-9363 core-genogroup falls into three lineages: Basal, European, and North American; with 32 clades within all lineages. Although, ST-9363 core-genogroup is inferred to have originated from Asia in the mid-19th century; we estimate the three modern lineages emerged from Europe in the late 1970s to early 1980s. The European lineage appears to have emerged and expanded from around 1986 to 1998, spreading into North America and Oceania in the mid-2000s with multiple introductions, along with multiple secondary reintroductions into Europe. Our results suggest two separate acquisition events of mosaic mtrR and mtrR promoter alleles: first during 2009-2011 and again during the 2012-2013 time, facilitating the clonal expansion of this core-genogroup with AZMrs in the United States. By tracking phylodynamic evolutionary trajectories of clades that share distinct demography as well as population-based genomic statistics, we demonstrate how recombination and selective pressures in the mtrCDE efflux operon granted a fitness advantage to establish ST-9363 as a successful gonococcal lineage in the United States and elsewhere. Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact timing and emergence of this young core-genogroup, it remains critically important to continue monitoring it, as it could acquire additional resistance markers.

Automated summary

The Neisseria gonorrhoeae ST-9363 core-genogroup strain with reduced azithromycin susceptibility has shown clonal expansion globally. By analyzing the genomes of this strain, researchers have discovered three lineages and multiple clades within them. The strain is believed to have originated from Asia but the modern lineages emerged from Europe in the late 20th century. The European lineage spread to North America and Oceania in the mid-2000s with multiple reintroductions into Europe. The study highlights the importance of monitoring this strain as it could acquire additional resistance markers.