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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 4(4)

Using epidemiological and molecular methods to investigate an outbreak of gonorrhoea associated with heterosexual contact in Newcastle, NSW, Australia

Kerry Todd A E , David Durrheim A D , Robert Pickles B , Keith Eastwood A , Tony Merritt A , John Tapsall C , Sanghamitra Ray C and Athena Limnios C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Area Health Service, NSW 2305, Australia.

B Immunology and Infectious Diseases and Sexual Health Services, Hunter New England Area Health Service, NSW 2305, Australia.

C South Eastern Area Laboratory Service, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.

D School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: kerry.todd@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au

Sexual Health 4(4) 233-236 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH07037
Submitted: 30 May 2007  Accepted: 20 August 2007   Published: 28 September 2007

Abstract

Background: We report a cluster of gonorrhoea among mainly heterosexual men that occurred in October 2005, which was first identified when routine weekly surveillance review procedures indicated a three-fold increase in reporting rates compared with historical data. Methods: Each case was followed up with the treating medical officer to review treatment regimes and risk exposures, and to carry out enhanced contact tracing. The phenotype and genotype of the outbreak gonococcal isolates and gonococci prevalent in the months preceding and following the cluster were determined. Links between cases reported from the local Sexual Health Clinic and those reported by general practitioners were established. Results: Laboratory data indicated that a particular gonococcal subtype (ST 225 and NR/Brpyst) was prevalent during the outbreak. Conclusions: Gonorrhoea rates returned to pre-outbreak levels following a targeted health promotion intervention with no further cases of the outbreak subtype detected.

Additional keywords: genotyping, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae phenotyping, sex-industry workers.


Acknowledgements

The authors thank the following laboratories, Hunter Area Pathology Services, Mayne Laverty, Gribbles Pathology and Sydney Diagnostic Services, for notifying gonorrhoea diagnoses and referring gonococcal isolates to the Neisseria Reference Laboratory – South Eastern Area Laboratory Service, Sydney, NSW.


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