World's first validated, lab-based model of oral gonorrhoea infection using human oral cells
An investigative research collaboration, lead by Prof. Fabian Kong, between the University of Melbourne's Melbourne Dental School and its' Melbourne School of Population and Global Health with the World Health Organisation have developed the world's first in-vitro model of Oral Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infection/colonization in the human oropharynx.
NG infections are common, affecting 2 to 10% of the population. Oropharyngeal infections are important because 1) cure rates at the oral site are up to 20% lower than at the genital site; 2) play a major role in transmission in the population through oral sex and use of saliva and 3) they are more likely to facilitate the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). NG has now developed resistance to all classes of antibiotics recommended for gonorrhoea treatment and in 2017, the WHO declared AMR NG as an urgent global threat.
New treatments for NG are scarce and among emerging treatments, all currently have efficacies below the USA CDC efficacy criteria of 95% for treating infections in the oropharynx. Therefore there is an urgent need to find new treatments for oral NG. Through this model, screening for new treatments for oral gonorrhoea can be incorporated into a oral topical product (e.g. gum) to prevent infections.
Wintermute Biomedical is thrilled for this continuing collaboration to test the suitability of its emerging technology to assist in new treatment areas.
Read here to learn more.