TY - JOUR AU - Gianecini, Ricardo Ariel AU - Poklepovich, Tomas AU - Golparian, Daniel AU - Cuenca, Noelia AU - Tuduri, Ezequiel AU - Unemo, Magnus AU - Campos, Josefina AU - Galarza, Patricia T1 - Genomic Epidemiology of Azithromycin-Nonsusceptible Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Argentina, 2005–2019 T2 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal PY - 2021 VL - 27 IS - 9 SP - 2369 SN - 1080-6059 AB - Azithromycin-nonsusceptible Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains are an emerging global public health threat. During 2015–2018, the prevalence of azithromycin-nonsusceptible gonococcal infection increased significantly in Argentina. To investigate the genomic epidemiology and resistance mechanisms of these strains, we sequenced 96 nonsusceptible isolates collected in Argentina during 2005–2019. Phylogenomic analysis revealed 2 main clades, which were characterized by a limited geographic distribution, circulating during January 2015–November 2019. These clades included the internationally spreading multilocus sequence types (STs) 1580 and 9363. The ST1580 isolates, which had MICs of 2–4 μg/mL, had mutations in the 23S rRNA. The ST9363 isolates, which had MICs of 2–4 or >256 μg/mL, had mutations in the 23S rRNA, a mosaic mtr locus, or both. Identifying the geographic dissemination and characteristics of these predominant clones will guide public health policies to control the spread of azithromycin-nonsusceptible N. gonorrhoeae in Argentina. KW - whole-genome sequencing KW - gonorrhea KW - azithromycin KW - antimicrobial resistance KW - treatment KW - AMR KW - sexually transmitted infections KW - Neisseria gonorrhoeae KW - bacteria KW - bacterial infections KW - Argentina KW - genomics DO - 10.3201/eid2709.204843 UR - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/9/20-4843_article ER - End of Reference