MSM Neisseria Carriage Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Ecology of oral Neisseria species in men who have sex with men: implications for Neisseria gonorrhoeae transmission and the emergence of antibiotic resistance
IRAS ID
318587
Contact name
Odile Harrison
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 2 days
Research summary
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae are becoming more common and resistant to antibiotics. Although gonorrhoea mainly affects the genital tract, the bacterium can also colonise the back of the human throat (oropharynx) with high rates found in men who have sex with men - a population with a high prevalence of gonorrhoea, including oropharyngeal infection. Oropharyngeal N. gonorrhoeae infection and ecology has been little studied to-date. It requires urgent attention as a potential significant contributing factor in both transmission of gonorrhoea and antibiotic resistance (AR) development. This is because: 1) oral gonococcal infection is usually asymptomatic increasing risk of transmission from undiagnosed infection 2) gonococci have been shown to be present in saliva indicating that infection may be transmitted through intimate kissing 3) the oropharynx hosts a diverse microbial community including other Neisseria species contributing to emergence of AR through DNA exchange and acquisition.
To investigate Neisseria oropharyngeal ecology in MSM and understand behaviours contributing to this, this study will measure the prevalence of oropharyngeal Neisseria species in a pilot study consisting of 480 MSM, recruited from Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. Participants who have taken antibiotics in the 2 weeks prior to sampling will be excluded. Following written informed consent, participants will complete a questionnaire including demographics, smoking history and sexual activity. The study will investigate risk factors for N. gonorrhoeae prevalence and co-colonisation with other Neisseria species. Data on recent antibiotic use and concurrent STIs will also be collected.
Oropharyngeal swabs and saliva samples will be taken at the study site. The pseudonymised samples will be transported to Oxford and processed to identify the presence of potential Neisseria isolates. Putative Neisseria isolates will be further processed for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, DNA extraction and genomics.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/0019
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jan 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion