K01TW012170
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Antimicrobial Resistance in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Among Men on PrEP in Vietnam - Project Summary/Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health emergency. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a high-priority pathogen for AMR, as there are 87 million infections per year worldwide, and the bacteria has demonstrated resistance to every class of antibiotics recommended for its treatment. Treatment failures have been reported, typically involving oropharyngeal infections, and are dire warnings that the era of untreatable gonorrhea is near.
In the Western Pacific region, which includes Vietnam, resistance to ceftriaxone and azithromycin, the most commonly recommended antibiotic therapy for gonorrhea, is increasing. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by AMR in N. gonorrhoeae infections but remain underrepresented in data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The proposed study seeks to better understand AMR in N. gonorrhoeae by embedding new research into an existing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) program for MSM in Vietnam. The study aims are:
1) To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for AMR in N. gonorrhoeae among MSM in a PrEP program in Vietnam.
2) To measure the frequency of pharyngeal N. gonorrhoeae treatment failures and the association between pharyngeal infections and AMR.
3) To use whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to conduct a genomic epidemiology study of N. gonorrhoeae nested within our study population of MSM in a PrEP program in Vietnam.
The study will leverage regular testing for N. gonorrhoeae and follow-up that occur through the PrEP program to shed new light on the issue of AMR in N. gonorrhoeae within this key population.
This Fogarty International Research Scientist Development Award (K01) is to support the career development of Dr. Paul Adamson, an infectious diseases physician whose goal is to become an independent global health investigator at the intersection of AMR and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The K01 will support Dr. Adamson to develop expertise in:
1) Clinical microbiology and AMR testing
2) WGS, bioinformatics, and genomic epidemiology
3) Advanced training in clinical trials research with a focus on LMICs.
To achieve the proposed research and training aims, Dr. Adamson has assembled a mentorship team with proven experience mentoring early-career investigators and with expertise in STIs, epidemiology, AMR, biostatistics, and genomics. Drs. Pamina Gorbach (UCLA) and Le Minh Giang (Hanoi Medical University, HMU) will serve as primary mentors and have extensive experience in conducting large-scale prevention research studies and clinical trials on STIs and HIV among MSM. In addition, his co-mentorship team includes Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a US-based global health researcher and an international expert on STIs and AMR in N. gonorrhoeae, and Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, a Vietnam-based researcher with expertise in clinical microbiology and antibiotic susceptibility testing in N. gonorrhoeae.
The proposed research and training aims leverage the strong research collaborations and the robust research infrastructure that exist between UCLA and HMU. The IRSDA will advance Dr. Adamson's career as an expert in STIs and AMR and establish him as an independent global health investigator.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health emergency. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a high-priority pathogen for AMR, as there are 87 million infections per year worldwide, and the bacteria has demonstrated resistance to every class of antibiotics recommended for its treatment. Treatment failures have been reported, typically involving oropharyngeal infections, and are dire warnings that the era of untreatable gonorrhea is near.
In the Western Pacific region, which includes Vietnam, resistance to ceftriaxone and azithromycin, the most commonly recommended antibiotic therapy for gonorrhea, is increasing. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by AMR in N. gonorrhoeae infections but remain underrepresented in data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The proposed study seeks to better understand AMR in N. gonorrhoeae by embedding new research into an existing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) program for MSM in Vietnam. The study aims are:
1) To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for AMR in N. gonorrhoeae among MSM in a PrEP program in Vietnam.
2) To measure the frequency of pharyngeal N. gonorrhoeae treatment failures and the association between pharyngeal infections and AMR.
3) To use whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to conduct a genomic epidemiology study of N. gonorrhoeae nested within our study population of MSM in a PrEP program in Vietnam.
The study will leverage regular testing for N. gonorrhoeae and follow-up that occur through the PrEP program to shed new light on the issue of AMR in N. gonorrhoeae within this key population.
This Fogarty International Research Scientist Development Award (K01) is to support the career development of Dr. Paul Adamson, an infectious diseases physician whose goal is to become an independent global health investigator at the intersection of AMR and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The K01 will support Dr. Adamson to develop expertise in:
1) Clinical microbiology and AMR testing
2) WGS, bioinformatics, and genomic epidemiology
3) Advanced training in clinical trials research with a focus on LMICs.
To achieve the proposed research and training aims, Dr. Adamson has assembled a mentorship team with proven experience mentoring early-career investigators and with expertise in STIs, epidemiology, AMR, biostatistics, and genomics. Drs. Pamina Gorbach (UCLA) and Le Minh Giang (Hanoi Medical University, HMU) will serve as primary mentors and have extensive experience in conducting large-scale prevention research studies and clinical trials on STIs and HIV among MSM. In addition, his co-mentorship team includes Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a US-based global health researcher and an international expert on STIs and AMR in N. gonorrhoeae, and Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, a Vietnam-based researcher with expertise in clinical microbiology and antibiotic susceptibility testing in N. gonorrhoeae.
The proposed research and training aims leverage the strong research collaborations and the robust research infrastructure that exist between UCLA and HMU. The IRSDA will advance Dr. Adamson's career as an expert in STIs and AMR and establish him as an independent global health investigator.
Funding Goals
THE JOHN E. FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER (FIC) SUPPORTS RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING TO REDUCE DISPARITIES IN GLOBAL HEALTH AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN U.S. SCIENTISTS AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS ABROAD. FIC SUPPORTS BASIC BIOLOGICAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH, AS WELL AS RELATED RESEARCH TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. THE RESEARCH PORTFOLIO IS DIVIDED INTO SEVERAL PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT A WIDE VARIETY OF FUNDING MECHANISMS TO MEET PROGRAMMATIC OBJECTIVES.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Los Angeles,
California
90095
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 400% from $191,592 to $957,960.
Los Angeles University Of California was awarded
AMR in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae among MSM on PrEP in Vietnam
Project Grant K01TW012170
worth $957,960
from Fogarty International Center in September 2021 with work to be completed primarily in Los Angeles California United States.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years 10 months and
was awarded through assistance program 93.989 International Research and Research Training.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01) Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 7/25/25
Period of Performance
9/23/21
Start Date
7/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$958.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$958.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to K01TW012170
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
K01TW012170
SAI Number
K01TW012170-3199877627
Award ID URI
SAI UNAVAILABLE
Awardee Classifications
Public/State Controlled Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
75NF00 NIH Fogarty International Center
Funding Office
75NF00 NIH Fogarty International Center
Awardee UEI
RN64EPNH8JC6
Awardee CAGE
4B557
Performance District
CA-36
Senators
Dianne Feinstein
Alejandro Padilla
Alejandro Padilla
Budget Funding
| Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John E. Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Health and Human Services (075-0819) | Health research and training | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $383,184 | 100% |
Modified: 7/25/25