# Characterizing Antimicrobial Resistance in Pharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections and the Role of Commensal Neisseria Species

> **NIH NIH K01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $130,680

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections are a major public health concern due to the global emergence
and spread of multi-drug resistant NG. Pharyngeal NG (pNG) infections, which are primarily
asymptomatic, are a major source of sustained gonorrhea transmission and may play an important role
in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in NG as resident oropharyngeal commensal
Neisseria species (CNspp) can serve as a reservoir for AMR, which can be easily acquired by NG through
gene transfer. Despite the importance of pNG infections, there is limited knowledge on the epidemiology
of antimicrobial-resistant pNG and a lack of diagnostics to characterize AMR in pNG. This Mentored
Research Scientist Career Development (K01) proposal will fill critical gaps in knowledge in our current
understanding of pNG infections while allowing the candidate to enhance his skillset through research,
training, and mentoring. The specific training foci of this K01 application include: 1) to gain research skills
in epidemiological studies; 2) to obtain expertise in quantitative statistical analysis through the
triangulation of clinical, microbiological, genomic, and behavioral data; 3) to acquire training in genome
analysis and bioinformatics; and 4) to develop additional professional skills for a successful academic
research career. To address the gap in knowledge in pNG infections, the candidate's proposed K01
research involves an epidemiological study in collaboration with the Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial
Surveillance Program (EGASP) in Kampala, Uganda, where the epidemiology of antimicrobial-resistant
pNG infections has not been previously defined. This study will: 1) recruit EGASP participants with
urethritis at high risk for pNG, 2) collect pharyngeal samples, clinical, demographic, and behavioral data
to 3) define AMR in pNG in comparison to urethral NG (uNG), 4) identify predictors of pNG infections and
antimicrobial-resistant pNG in a low-income country (Aim 1), 5) compare the genomic epidemiology of
AMR in pNG and uNG, and, 6) describe the type and frequency of AMR determinants and AMR mosaic
alleles (Aim 2). This project will also test whether a single-cell microfluidic platform could be adapted for
the characterization of the emergence of AMR in NG and improved detection of AMR in pNG (Aim 3).
The objectives of this K01 research project and training goals will be achieved through guidance from a
team of experienced mentors with outstanding track records in basic and translational research and with
complementary areas of expertise. The K01 award will provide the candidate with the necessary training
and mentoring to become an independent investigator in STI translational research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10434843
- **Project number:** 5K01AI153546-03
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Johan Humberto Melendez
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $130,680
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-22 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10434843

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10434843, Characterizing Antimicrobial Resistance in Pharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections and the Role of Commensal Neisseria Species (5K01AI153546-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10434843. Licensed CC0.

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