Ceftriaxone-Resistant Gonorrhea — China, 2022

Gonorrhea, a widespread sexually transmitted infection, is the fourth most common infectious disease in China, with 96,313 cases reported in 2022. The rise in antimicrobial-resistant strains, particularly ceftriaxone-resistant clones, poses a significant challenge to control. The China Gonococcal Resistance Surveillance Program (China-GRSP) monitors antimicrobial resistance, with a significant increase in ceftriaxone resistance from 2017 to 2022. Effective diagnosis, treatment, and sex partner management are crucial to protect infected individuals and prevent ongoing transmission of gonorrhea. Identifying reasons for the spread of ceftriaxone-resistant N. gonorrhoeae in China could guide strategies like antibiotic stewardship to mitigate the rising resistance rate and curb the spread of resistant strains.