Origin, evolution, and success of pbla, the gonococcal beta-lactamase plasmid, and implications for public health.

ABSTRACT: Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a leading cause of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and a priority AMR pathogen. Two narrow host range plasmids, pbla and pConj, have contributed to ending penicillin and tetracycline therapy, respectively, and undermine current prevention strategies including doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (Doxy-PEP). Here, we investigated the origin and evolution of the beta-lactamase plasmid, pbla. We demonstrate that pbla was likely acquired by the gonococcus from Haemophilus ducreyi, and describe the subsequent evolutionary pathways taken by the three major pbla variants. We show that the ability of pConj to spread pbla promotes their co-occurrence in the gonococcal population and the spread of pbla. Changes that mitigate fitness costs of pbla and the emergence of T

SUBMITTER: Elsener TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12080925 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature