ena-STUDY-UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD-02-05-2018-14:51:12:141-27
Gonorrhoea treatment failure caused by the first Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain with combined ceftriaxone and high-level azithromycin resistance globally
Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major public health concern. We describe the first reported gonorrhoea case globally with combined high-level azithromycin resistance and ceftriaxone resistance, the last mainstream treatment agents. A 50-year-old male was diagnosed in February 2018 in the UK following sexual intercourse with a female in Thailand. Using whole-genome sequencing, we determined resistance arose from two existing mechanisms combining for the first time, occurring in a commonly circulating strain. The most closely-related previously sequenced isolates were obtained in China, Japan and the UK. Urgent action is needed to contain the further spread of the isolate identified.
Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major public health concern. We describe the first reported gonorrhoea case globally with combined high-level azithromycin resistance and ceftriaxone resistance, the last mainstream treatment agents. A 50-year-old male was diagnosed in February 2018 in the UK following sexual intercourse with a female in Thailand. Using whole-genome sequencing, we determined resistance arose from two existing mechanisms combining for the first time, occurring in a commonly circulating strain. The most closely-related previously sequenced isolates were obtained in China, Japan and the UK. Urgent action is needed to contain the further spread of the isolate identified.