Larissa Dixon, BS
Nominated From: University of Minnesota
Research Site: IMPACTA
Research Area: DoxyPEP, antimicrobial resistance, STI prevention
Primary Mentor: Dr. Jenell Stewart
Research Project
Prevalence and Perceptions of Tetracycline-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Antimicrobial Resistance Among MSM in Lima, Peru: Implications for Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (DoxyPEP)
Cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) in Peru experience disproportionately high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) has emerged as a promising intervention for reducing bacterial STIs like chlamydia and syphilis, but its effectiveness against NG is variable due to increasing antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is a growing global concern, and countries like Peru, where antibiotics are readily available without a prescription, are particularly vulnerable to the misuse of antibiotics. This study will investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic usage and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among MSM attending the IMPACTA clinic, including how AMR relates to Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the context of STI prophylaxis. The findings will help identify key gaps that can inform future educational interventions aimed at improving antibiotic stewardship and mitigating the spread of resistance. Additionally, the study will include molecular testing on a random subset of 20 archived gonococcal (GC)-positive samples to determine the prevalence of tetracycline-resistant NG strains. The findings will provide valuable insights into AMR awareness and antibiotic usage among MSM in Lima, enabling targeted educational strategies for both healthcare providers and patients. This research will also establish a baseline resistance profile for NG in the region, supporting broader efforts to assess the feasibility of DoxyPEP and contributing to antimicrobial resistance management in Peru and other resource-limited settings.
Research Significance
This study will be the first to provide critical data on the prevalence of tetracycline-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) strains in Lima, Peru, among MSM. The findings will serve as a baseline resistance profile that can guide future STI prevention strategies, including the potential adoption of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) for STI prevention. With DoxyPEP emerging as a promising tool in reducing bacterial STIs such as chlamydia and syphilis, this study is uniquely positioned to offer insights into the effectiveness of DoxyPEP against gonorrhea in populations where antibiotic resistance is a growing concern. In addition to resistance data, the study will provide valuable insights into antibiotic usage patterns, adherence to prescribed treatments, and perceptions of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among MSM in Lima. These findings can be used to inform educational materials for both healthcare providers and patients, offering guidance on how to reduce the misuse of antibiotics and prevent further resistance.
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