title: Using epidemiological and molecular methods to investigate an outbreak of gonorrhoea associated with heterosexual contact in Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report a cluster of gonorrhoea among mainly heterosexual men that occurred in October 2005, which was first identified when routine weekly surveillance review procedures indicated a three-fold increase in reporting rates compared with historical data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Each case was followed up with the treating medical officer to review treatment regimes and risk exposures, and to carry out enhanced contact tracing. The phenotype and genotype of the outbreak gonococcal isolates and gonococci prevalent in the months preceding and following the cluster were determined. Links between cases reported from the local Sexual Health Clinic and those reported by general practitioners were established.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laboratory data indicated that a particular gonococcal subtype (ST 225 and NR/Brpyst) was prevalent during the outbreak.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gonorrhoea rates returned to pre-outbreak levels following a targeted health promotion intervention with no further cases of the outbreak subtype detected.
authors: Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Area Health Service, NSW 2305, Australia. kerry.todd@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
authors: Kerry
authors: K
authors: Todd
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Durrheim
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Pickles
authors: Keith
authors: K
authors: Eastwood
authors: Tony
authors: T
authors: Merritt
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Tapsall
authors: Sanghamitra
authors: S
authors: Ray
authors: Athena
authors: A
authors: Limnios
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012621:Seasons; D012703:Serotyping; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012747:Sexual Partners
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial