New Neisseria gonorrhoeae reference strains to contribute to global efforts in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance.
The National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) has expanded its repository of antimicrobial resistance strains with the addition of three Neisseria gonorrhoeae reference strains. These strains are intended to serve as well-characterised reference material for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, supporting global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.
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NCTC Number |
Strain Reference |
Strain characteristics |
|---|---|---|
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WHO H |
Isolated in Austria, 2001. Ceftriaxone resistant due to a penA mosaic allele. |
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WHO R |
Isolated in Japan, 2015. An internationally spreading FC428 clone, a ceftriaxone-resistant strain. |
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WHO S2 |
Isolated in Sweden, 2020. Represents the main internationally spreading azithromycin-resistant clade with mosaic MtrRCDE efflux pump. |
These three strains join the existing panel of 14 WHO reference strains already available from NCTC. The comprehensive panel have been characterised phenotypically and genomically and represent all known susceptible and resistance phenotypes and genotypes associated with antimicrobial agents in N. gonorrohoeae.
Their use is recommended in laboratory quality assurance testing in national and international resistance surveillance initiatives such as the WHO global Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (GASP), helping to ensure consistent and accurate monitoring of antimicrobial resistance trends.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in N. gonorrhoeae is of significant international public health concern. Organisations including the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and World Health Organization (WHO) have issued action plans have issued action plans to address this challenge and safeguard effective treatment options. The addition of these new reference strains strengthens efforts to preserve gonorrhoea as a treatable infection.
References
Unemo et al (2024) The novel 2024 WHO Neisseria gonorrhoeae reference strains for global quality assurance of laboratory investigations and superseded WHO N. gonorrhoeae reference strains-phenotypic, genetic and reference genome characterization. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2024 Aug 1;79(8):1885-1899. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkae176. PMID: 38889110; PMCID: PMC11290888.