Untreatable Gonorrhoea and You
An estimated 78 million people are infected with gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted disease every year, and doctors are finding more cases that are untreatable by all known antibiotics. In a statement released on July 7, WHO issued an urgent call for new drugs before it spirals out of control.
Antibiotic-resistant #gonorrhoea on the rise; new drugs needed https://t.co/JsBwjEVOcu #AntibioticResistance pic.twitter.com/8SpO5FcTKF
— WHO (@WHO) July 7, 2017
The WHO Global Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (WHO GASP), monitors trends in drug-resistant gonorrhoea. According to WHO GASP data, 97% of countries that reported data between 2009 to 2014, found strains that are resistant to ciprofloxacin, a next-level antibiotics developed in the mid 2000s. The data also cite increasing resistance to other drugs, including the current last-resort treatment, Cefixime (oral) or Ceftriaxone (injectable).
As a result, WHO issued updated global treatment recommendations in 2016 advising doctors to give 2 antibiotics: ceftriaxone and azithromycin.
“Any new treatment developed should be accessible to everyone who needs it, while ensuring it’s used appropriately, so that drug resistance is slowed as much as possible.” – Dr Manica Balasegaram, GARDP Director.
There are currently 3 new candidate drugs in various stages of development: solithromycin, for which a phase III trial has recently been completed; zoliflodacin, which has completed a phase II trial; and gepotidacin, which has also completed a phase II trial.
For full statement – http://who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/Antibiotic-resistant-gonorrhoea/en/
One step closer to a gonorrhoea vaccine?
In a follow-up report from Straits Times, researchers found that people who received meningitis vaccine in New Zealand “were significantly less likely to have gonorrhoea” than people who did not get the shot. The vaccine was estimated to have reduced gonorrhoea cases by 31 per cent – a level that would decrease the prevalence of the disease by about a third within 15 years.
While they are vastly different in symptoms and transmission, the meningitis and gonorrhoea bacteria are a very close genetic match, the researchers said. This presents, for the first time, a vaccine that has shown any protection against the bacteria infection.
For full report – http://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/one-step-closer-to-a-gonorrhoea-vaccine
First published on 11 July 2017 –
Prevention
Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria Gonorrhoea. In both men and women, if gonorrhea is left untreated, it may spread locally causing health complications. It can be prevented through safer sexual behaviour, in particular consistent and correct condom use.
How does one get Gonorrhoea?
- Sexual intercourse with an infected person (vaginal, anal or oral sex)
- Casual social contact and toilet seats are not recognized modes of transmission
How is Gonorrhoea diagnosed?
- Smear test and culture from secretions of the infected parts (urethra, throat, rectum and cervix)
- Urine PCR for Gonorrhoea
For more information, click the link below to download the brochure from DSC Clinic.
Screening & Treatment
If you are looking for a sexual health clinic that is tuned to the needs of gay or same sex attracted men, DSC Clinic is your best bet. DSC Clinic offers comprehensive screening and treatment at very affordable rates. Make an appointment at their website (links below), or visit us at Pink Carpet and speaks to our counsellors if you need more information.
