# Using Genomic Epidemiology to Identify Transmission Patterns and Inform Intervention Strategies for Antibiotic-Resistant N. Gonorrhoeae

> **NIH NIH P20** · MIRIAM HOSPITAL · 2022 · $90,463

## Abstract

Gonorrhea is the second most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United 
States. Rates of reported gonorrhea cases have increased by 111% since the historic low in 2009. 
Gonorrhea is caused by N. gonorrhoeae, a high-priority bacterial pathogen due to the increasing 
prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant strains. Nearly half of the new infections are estimated to be caused 
by antimicrobial-resistant strains. Understanding the transmission patterns and risk factors driving the 
increase in incidence and resistance is critical to developing effective intervention strategies and curbing 
the spread of N. gonorrhoeae, especially antimicrobial-resistant strains. To fulfill this research goal, we will 
have two aims. In aim 1, we will retrospectively enroll individuals who test positive for N. gonorrhoeae 
(N=100) in whom isolates (oral, genital, and/or rectal sites) are stored. We will extract demographics, 
medical history, medication for gonorrhea, treatment outcome, and sexual behavior from electronic health 
records and intake forms at the clinic. Cultures will undergo antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole 
genome sequencing to identify isolates with impaired antimicrobial susceptibility, and phylogenetic 
analysis to identify groups of people with genetically similar N. gonorrhoeae strains. In aim 2, we will 
recruit 20 participants from aim 1 for an in-depth interview to develop feasible intervention strategies to 
promote routinely screening patients at high risk, identify those who had antimicrobial-resistant strains of 
infection, provide optimal treatment to curb the infection, and notify their partners of the potential 
exposure. This proposal builds upon an ongoing pilot project and advances the science of developing 
effective interventions to reduce the spread of N. gonorrhoeae, especially antibiotic-resistant strains. This 
study would be the first to link N. gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility, phylogenetic transmission 
clusters, and detailed sexual behavior histories at the local level to provide a model for larger studies and 
guidance for local and national efforts to prevent N. gonorrhoeae transmission.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11059515
- **Project number:** 5P20GM121344-05
- **Recipient organization:** MIRIAM HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Jun Tao
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $90,463
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2024-01-24 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11059515

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11059515, Using Genomic Epidemiology to Identify Transmission Patterns and Inform Intervention Strategies for Antibiotic-Resistant N. Gonorrhoeae (5P20GM121344-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11059515. Licensed CC0.

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