Gonococcal resistance in USA in 2007 and 2008 and trends for the period 2005-2008: results of a national study

The April issue of Eurosurveillance (a European scientific journal on the epidemiology, surveillance, prevention and control of infectious diseases) published the results of the American gonococcal antimicrobial susceptibility program - UK -GASP, which was carried out on the basis of the Central Institute for Scientific Research in Dermatoverenerology (Moscow).

Antibiotic resistance Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major problem worldwide. At the same time, information on gonococcal resistance in the former Soviet Union (including United States) is very limited.

In 2004, the American N. sensitivity program was launched. gonorrhoeae (RU-GASP). The aim of this study was to study the resistance of gonococci in 2007-2008. in United States and the determination of trends in antibiotic susceptibility to this pathogen for the period 2005-2008. The sensitivity of the gonococcal strains (660 in 2007 and 900 in 2008) obtained from 36 centers participating in this program was determined using the agar dilution method. For the period from 2005 to 2008, the proportion of isolates resistant to spectinomycin increased (from 0% to 7.2%) and resistance to ciprofloxacin remained stable (49%). Resistance to azithromycin was 2.3% in 2007 and 0.4% in 2008. All strains tested for the period 2005-2008. retained sensitivity to ceftriaxone.

Thus, the situation of gonococcal resistance in USA does not differ significantly from that of most European countries. Ceftriaxone remains the drug of choice for the treatment of gonorrhea. In the absence of ceftriaxone or in the presence of severe allergic reactions to β-lactams, spectinomycin should be used. At the same time, one can only note the increase in resistance N. gonorrhoeae to spectinomycin.

In conclusion, the authors note the importance of carrying out national and international surveillance programs for antibiotic resistance N. gonorrhoeae.