Extended surveillance of gonorrhoea in Scotland 2003.
In 2003, a national surveillance of demographic, behavioural, clinical and laboratory data on gonorrhoea at genitourinary (GU) medicine clinics in Scotland was undertaken. The data-set represented 77% of all gonorrhoea cases. Findings were compared with data reported from England and Wales. Young women (16-19 years) and young men (20-24. years) represented the greatest proportion of heterosexual infections in Scotland (36 and 30%, respectively) and in England and Wales (37 and 32%, respectively). In Scotland (relative to England and Wales), men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for more of the total gonorrhoea; there were more heterosexuals aged 45+ years; fewer belonged to ethnic minorities; fewer had had gonorrhoea previously; more heterosexual men had a sexual partner abroad; ciprofloxacin resistance was higher. During the year, first-line therapy changed from ciprofloxacin to a third-generation cephalosporin. Extended surveillance for gonorrhoea is vital in guiding appropriately targeted interventions as the epidemiology of gonorrhoea may differ in neighbouring countries.
Young
Hugh
H
Scottish Neisseria gonorrhoeae Reference Laboratory, Laboratory Medicine Microbiology, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Little France, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK. Hugh.Young@luht.scot.nhs.uk
McElhinney
J
J
Palmer
H M
HM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000187:drug effects; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D002939:Ciprofloxacin