Culture-Independent Genotyping Revealed 3 Strain Clusters in a Potential Neisseria gonorrhoeae Outbreak in Young Heterosexuals (<25 Years), the Netherlands, October 2017 to March 2019

In Brief Background Investigation was undertaken to determine the genetic relatedness of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) isolates young (<25 years) heterosexuals a potential outbreak from October 2017 March 2019 in South-Limburg, Netherlands. Methods Data and residual sample material routine diagnostics were retrieved for cases (78/81), at baseline (January 2016 September 2017, n = 30), men who have sex with (2018, 47). Total DNA isolated, NG genotyped using culture-free multiantigen sequence typing. Sanger data used construct phylogenetic tree. Cases clusters geographically mapped, descriptive analyses performed on patient characteristics, comparing these clusters. Results Outbreak investigation showed 81 between (4.5 per month) compared 30 January (1.4 month), which considered as baseline. Culture-independent genotyping assess relatedness, only 21 culture confirmed. This revealed 3 independent G2 (n 18), G13113 11), GNewST 24). None linked or introduced by bridging networks. Number partners reported Chlamydia trachomatis coinfection associated GNewST, respectively. Conclusions typing proved be essential identify However, targeted interventions difficult because information limited. Therefore, prospective culture-independent could early detection aid transmission prevention. We investigated gonorrhea heterosexuals, Netherlands, 2019.