The problem of resistance is getting worse
WHO is concerned about incurable gonorrhea
Anna Kerman, XX2 century, based on Voice of America – WHO: Spread of Untreatable ‘Superbug’ Gonorrhoea Imminent
At least three people in the world are infected with an incurable strain of the bacterium that causes gonorrhea. Probably, the "superinfect" is spread sexually. This was announced on Friday, July 7, by experts of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Referring to the results of a number of studies, the scientists also noted that the situation with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has become "very serious". According to WHO, the appearance of gonorrhea resistant to all existing antibiotics was "just a matter of time."
"The causative agent of gonorrhea is a very "smart" microbe,– explains Teodora Wi, WHO reproduction specialist. "Every time you use a new type of antibiotic to treat this disease, the microorganism develops resistance to the drug."
According to WHO estimates, 78 million people get sick with gonorrhea every year. This disease affects the genitals, rectum and pharynx. In many cases, the disease is asymptomatic, but leads to the development of pelvic inflammatory diseases, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. In addition, the presence of gonorrhea increases the chances of contracting HIV infection.
According to Vi, studies recently published in PLOS Medicine have shown that at least three cases of gonorrhea resistant to all antibacterial drugs have been documented in the world. It is important that the patients live in different countries – one of the patients in Japan, the other two are in France and Spain.
"The sick can transmit the infection to others. This disease is contagious," says Vi. – In addition, the identified cases may be just the tip of the iceberg, since the services that are supposed to diagnose and report incurable gonorrhea do not work well in developing countries. And it is there that this disease is widespread enough."
A study was conducted as part of the WHO program to monitor trends in the spread of resistant gonorrhea. The work was carried out in the period from 2009 to 2014 and showed that many strains of the gonorrhea-causing bacteria are resistant to the first-line drug, ciprofloxacin. In addition, there was an increase in the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to another antibiotic, azithromycin, and even to reserve drugs of the broad-spectrum cephalosporin group.
WHO also reports that in most States, cephalosporins have remained the only effective means to combat gonorrhea. But cases of resistance to them have already been registered in 50 countries.
The need for new antibacterial drugs for the treatment of gonorrhea is obvious. However, only three such tools are currently being developed – and there are, of course, no guarantees that they will successfully pass clinical trials.
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07.07.2017