GENOMIC ASSESSMENT OF WITHIN-HOST POPULATION VARIATION IN NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE: IMPLICATIONS FOR GONORRHOEA TRANSMISSION

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives Mathematical modelling and genomic analyses are powerful methods for investigating the transmission dynamics of Neisseria gonorrhoeae , however, often make the implicit assumption that N. gonorrhoeae isolates at different anatomical sites within the same individual are the same strain. Methods In this study, two approaches were used to explore genetic diversity. First, we examined a collection of stored, clinical N. gonorrhoeae isolates sourced from multiple anatomical sites of single individuals attending a sexual health clinic in Melbourne from 2011-2019. Second, we obtained multiple colony picks from primary clinical samples from individuals attending a sexual health c..