The Neisseria gonorrhoeae Accessory Genome and Its Association with the Core Genome and Antimicrobial Resistance
Jolinda de Korne-Elenbaas, Sylvia M. Bruisten, Alje P. van Dam, Martin Maiden, Odile B. Harrison
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) against third generation cephalosporins in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major public health concern, as these are antibiotics of last resort for the effective treatment of gonorrhea. Although the resistance mechanisms against this class of antibiotics have not been entirely resolved, resistance against other classes of antibiotics, such as tetracyclines, is known to be mediated through plasmids, which are known gonococcal extra-chromosomal accessory elements. A complete assessment of the chromosomal accessory genome content and its role in AMR has not yet been undertaken. Here, we comprehensively characterize the gonococcal accessory genome to better understand genome architecture as well as the evolution and mechanisms of AMR in this species.