title: Molecular approaches to enhance surveillance of gonococcal antimicrobial resistance.
abstract: The best available data indicate that the world is heading towards a pandemic of extensively drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. At the same time, clinical microbiology laboratories have moved away from using culture-based methods to diagnose gonorrhoea, thus undermining our ability to detect antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using current technologies. In this Opinion article, we discuss the problem of N. gonorrhoeae AMR, particularly emerging resistance to the cephalosporin ceftriaxone, outline current concerns about the surveillance of N. gonorrhoeae AMR and propose the use of molecular methods on a large scale to systematically enhance surveillance.
authors: Queensland Paediatric Infectious Diseases Laboratory and Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia.
authors: Namraj
authors: N
authors: Goire
authors: WHO Collaborating Centre for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV, Microbiology Department, South Eastern Area Laboratory Services, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2031, Australia.
authors: Monica M
authors: MM
authors: Lahra
authors: Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton Victoria 3053, Australia and Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors: Marcus
authors: M
authors: Chen
authors: 1] Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia. [2] Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, Sydney New South Wales 2000, Australia.
authors: Basil
authors: B
authors: Donovan
authors: Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton Victoria 3053, Australia and Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors: Christopher K
authors: CK
authors: Fairley
authors: Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Guy
authors: Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Kaldor
authors: Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Regan
authors: Baker IDI Central Australia, Alice Springs, Northern Territory 0870, Australia.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Ward
authors: 1] Queensland Paediatric Infectious Diseases Laboratory and Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia. [2] Microbiology Division, Pathology Queensland Central, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Campus, Queensland 4006, Australia.
authors: Michael D
authors: MD
authors: Nissen
authors: 1] Queensland Paediatric Infectious Diseases Laboratory and Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia. [2] Microbiology Division, Pathology Queensland Central, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Campus, Queensland 4006, Australia.
authors: Theo P
authors: TP
authors: Sloots
authors: Queensland Paediatric Infectious Diseases Laboratory and Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia.
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Whiley
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000494:pharmacology; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005838:Genotype; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D002443:Ceftriaxone