Effects of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of sexually transmitted infections on gonorrhoea prevalence and antimicrobial resistance among men who have sex with men in the USA: a modelling study

Background

Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has been shown to be efficacious for the prevention of bacterial sexually transmitted infections, but resistance implications for Neisseria gonorrhoeae remain unknown. We aimed to use a mathematical model to investigate the anticipated impact of doxycycline PEP on the burden of gonorrhoea and antimicrobial resistance dynamics in men who have sex with men (MSM) in the USA.

Methods

Using a deterministic compartmental model, characterising gonorrhoea transmission in a US MSM population comprising three sexual activity groups defined by annual partner turnover rates, we introduced doxycycline PEP at various uptake levels (10–90%) among those with high sexual activity. Infections were stratified by symptom status and resistance profile (ie, susceptible, ceftriaxone-resistant, tetracycline-resistant, or dual-resistant), with ceftriaxone the treatment for active infection. As resistance to tetracycline, not doxycycline, is monitored and reported nationally, we used this as a proxy for doxycycline PEP resistance. We compared the 20-year prevalence, incidence rates, and cumulative incidence of gonococcal infection, resistance dynamics (time to 5% prevalence of ceftriaxone resistance, 5% prevalence of dual resistance, and 84% prevalence of tetracycline resistance), and antibiotic consumption with baseline (ie, no doxycycline PEP).

Findings

Uptake of doxycycline PEP resulted in substantial reductions in the prevalence and incidence of gonorrhoea, but accelerated the spread of tetracycline resistance. The maximum reduction in prevalence over 20 years compared with no uptake ranged from 40·3% (IQR 15·3–83·4) with 10% doxycycline PEP uptake to 77·4% (68·4–84·9) with 90% uptake. Similarly, the maximum reduction in the incidence rate ranged from 38·6% (14·1–83·6) with 10% uptake to 77·6% (68·1–84·7) with 90% uptake. Cumulative gonococcal infections were reduced by a median of 14·5% (IQR 8·4–21·6) with 10% uptake and up to 46·2% (26·5–59·9) with 90% uptake after 5 years, and by 6·5% (3·4–13·0) with 10% uptake and 8·7% (4·3–36·2) with 90% uptake by 20 years. In almost all scenarios explored, doxycycline PEP lost clinical effectiveness (defined as 84% prevalence of tetracycline resistance) within the 20-year period, but its lifespan ranged from a median of 12·1 years (IQR 9·9–15·7) with 10% uptake to 1·6 years (1·3–1·9) with 90% uptake. Doxycycline PEP implementation had minimal impact on extending the clinical lifespan of ceftriaxone monotherapy (5·0 years [IQR 4·0–6·2]), with the median time to 5% prevalence of resistance ranging from 4·8 years (3·9–6·0) for 90% uptake to 5·0 years (4·1–6·2) for 10% uptake. Similarly, the median time to 5% prevalence of dual resistance to ceftriaxone and tetracycline ranged from 4·8 years (3·9–6·0) for 90% uptake to 5·8 years (4·8–7·4) for 10% uptake. Median decrease in ceftriaxone consumption for high doxycycline PEP uptake levels compared with baseline ranged from 41·7% (27·0–54·3) for 50% uptake to 50·2% (29·3–62·7) for 90% uptake at 5 years, but dropped to 11·8% (6·9–32·0) for 50% uptake and 12·1% (7·0–41·6) for 90% uptake after 20 years.

Interpretation

Notwithstanding the clear benefits of doxycycline PEP for other sexually transmitted infections, for N gonorrhoeae, model findings suggest that doxycycline PEP is an effective but impermanent solution for reducing infection burden, given eventual selection for resistant strains. This finding presents a challenge for policy makers considering strategies for doxycycline PEP implementation and oversight: the need to balance the clear, short-term clinical benefits with the risk of harm via antimicrobial resistance.

Funding

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.