WHO Reports Cases of Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea

Strains of gonorrhea resistant to cephalosporins, the last remaining class of drugs effective in treating the infection, are being reported in numerous countries according to new guide from the World Health Organization. 

Manjula Lusti-Narasimhan, PhD, of the WHO’s Department of Reproductive Health and Research explained that these reports may be just the beginning.

"Without adequate surveillance we won’t know the extent of resistance to gonorrhea," Lusti-Narasimhan said in a statement, "and without research into new antimicrobial agents, there could soon be no effective treatment for patients."

In response, the WHO has urged that researchers continue the search for antibiotics affective against gonorrhea, as well as increased awareness of the correct use of antibiotics among healthcare providers and consumers, better prevention of gonorrhea, and systematic monitoring of treatment failure. 

-Michael Potts