Introduction Strain-typing and characterisation of associated resistance mechanisms is pivotal to understanding the development and spread of Neisseria gonorhoeae (NG) antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Australia, we have embarked on a national study to determine the molecular basis of AMR in our local isolates with a view to implementing broad-based molecular surveillance for NG AMR.

Methods In this initial phase of the study, called GRAND (Gonorrhoea Resistance Assessment via Nucleic acid Detection), we are using the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX MALDI-TOF MS platform to characterise all available isolates (n = 2373) collected throughout Australia in the first half of 2012. To date, two iPLEX methods have been developed and validated: (1) a typing method targeting 14 informative SNPs previously shown to predict an MLST type; and (2) an AMR method targeting 11 common mutations associated with N. gonorrhoeae resistance to penicillin, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin and ceftriaxone, including important mutations on the penicillin binding protein (PBP2): A501 substitutions and the mosaic PBP2 sequence.

Results The results to date show that the technology is well suited for high-throughput typing of N. gonorhoeae isolates. In particular, we found it can be used on heat-denatured isolates (removing the need for a commercial DNA extraction kit) and can genotype (using both iPLEX reactions) up to 384 isolates within one working day for less than $AUS20.00 (€15.00) per isolate.

Conclusions The data from this study will provide pivotal information to inform the implementation of molecular-based NG AMR surveillance. Validation and testing is ongoing.