Use of whole genome sequencing to investigate an outbreak of gonorrhoea among females in urban New South Wales, Australia, 2012 to 2014.
Increasing rates of gonorrhoea have been observed among urban heterosexuals within the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW). Here, we applied whole genome sequencing (WGS) to better understand transmission dynamics. Ninety-four isolates of a particular N. gonorrhoeae genotype (G122) associated with female patients (years 2012 to 2014) underwent phylogenetic analysis using core single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Context for genetic variation was provided by including an unbiased selection of 1,870 N. gonorrhoeae genomes from a recent United Kingdom (UK) study. NSW genomes formed a single clade, with the majority of isolates belonging to one of five clusters, and comprised patients of varying age groups. Intra-patient variability was less than 7 core SNPs. Several patients had indistinguishable core SNPs, suggesting a common infection source. These data have provided an enhanced understanding of transmission of N. gonorrhoeae among urban heterosexuals in NSW, Australia, and highlight the value of using WGS in N. gonorrhoeae outbreak investigations.