Quinolone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae: the beginning of the end? Report of quinolone-resistant isolates and surveillance in the southwestern United States, 1989 to 1997.
BACKGROUND
Fluoroquinolones are one of the most widely used treatments for gonorrhoeae. Changes in the susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to these agents may threaten their use.


OBJECTIVE
To report several resistant strains (>1 mcg/ml) isolated in the western United States and to evaluate the prevalence of strains with reduced susceptibility (ofloxacin 0.25 mcg/ml, ciprofloxacin 0.06 mcg/ml).


METHODS
The microbiology and epidemiology of three resistant strains were characterized and 12,761 other strains were evaluated for fluoroquinolone susceptibility as part of the Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


RESULTS
Fluoroquinolone-resistant strains may appear sporadically. The prevalence of isolates with reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones remains low in the Southwest region of the United States.


CONCLUSIONS
Continued active surveillance is needed to detect and control the spread of quinolone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Ehret
J M
JM
Denver Department of Public Health, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 80204-4507, USA.
Judson
F N
FN
D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015206:Southwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones