A Growing Concern About Gonorrhea’s Resistance to Antibiotics

29 January 2024

A recent study documented by The Lancet highlights that treatment failures for gonorrhea have been uncommon in the United States. Still, there is growing concern about the emergence of antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, particularly non-susceptibility to cephalosporins. This concern is underscored by the identification of the penA 60.001 allele in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a specific genetic variation that contributes to this type of antibiotic resistance. The penA 60.001 allele alters the bacterial response to cephalosporins, a key class of antibiotics for treating gonorrhea.

3 Key Takeaways

The study highlights the growing concern about the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the US, particularly those showing non-susceptibility to cephalosporins.
The study presents 2 cases where the penA 60.001 allele was identified. These cases showed non-susceptibility to cephalosporins and other antibiotics, raising concerns about the potential for treatment failures.
The importance of increasing clinical awareness, surveillance, and laboratory detection methods to manage and prevent the spread of drug-resistant gonorrhea strains.

Further reading: Contagion Live

Author(s): Sophia Abene

Effective Surveillance