Agent-based Model of Gonorrhea Transmission in Men Who Have Sex with Men

This project will develop and apply an agent-based transmission model of gonorrhea in men who have sex with men (MSM). This model will capture the unique epidemiological characteristics, as well as diagnostic and treatment challenges (including antimicrobial resistance emergence) associated with gonorrhea in MSM. The model will be used to investigate the importance of different sites of infection for gonorrhea transmission in MSM including how pharyngeal and rectal infections may be fueling the epidemic through asymptomatic transmission, and the potential impact of site-specific screening strategies on the ability to control the gonorrhea transmission.

These analyses will form a foundation for future analyses examining the role of public health control strategies for reducing the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistant gonorrhea.