Increases in fluoroquinolone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae--Hawaii and California, 2001. 2002


Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility, and it can facilitate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Gonorrhea is the second most frequently reported communicable disease in the United States, with 361,705 reported cases in 2001. During the 1980s, gonococcal resistance to penicillin and tetracycline became widespread; as a result, CDC recommended using cephalosporins as first-line treatment for gonorrhea. Since 1993, CDC also has recommended using fluoroquinolones (i.e., ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, or levofloxacin) for gonorrhea treatment. Fluoroquinolone therapy is used widely because it is a relatively inexpensive, oral, and single-dose therapy. However, fluoroquinolone-resistant N. gonorrhoeae (QRNG) is being identified more frequently. This report summarizes investigations of increases in QRNG in Hawaii and California in 2001 and provides data to support the recommendation that cephalosporins (i.e., ceftriaxone or cefixime) be used instead of fluoroquinolones as first-line treatment for gonorrhea acquired in these two states. The increases in QRNG highlight the importance of monitoring gonococcal resistance throughout the United States to guide local treatment decisions.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009344 Neisseria gonorrhoeae A species of gram-negative, aerobic bacteria primarily found in purulent venereal discharges. It is the causative agent of GONORRHEA. Diplococcus gonorrhoeae,Gonococcus,Gonococcus neisseri,Merismopedia gonorrhoeae,Micrococcus der gonorrhoe,Micrococcus gonococcus,Micrococcus gonorrhoeae
D002140 California State bounded on the east by Nevada and Arizona, on the south by Mexico and the Pacific Ocean on the south and west, and on the north by Oregon.
D002511 Cephalosporins A group of broad-spectrum antibiotics first isolated from the Mediterranean fungus ACREMONIUM. They contain the beta-lactam moiety thia-azabicyclo-octenecarboxylic acid also called 7-aminocephalosporanic acid. Antibiotics, Cephalosporin,Cephalosporanic Acid,Cephalosporin,Cephalosporin Antibiotic,Cephalosporanic Acids,Acid, Cephalosporanic,Acids, Cephalosporanic,Antibiotic, Cephalosporin,Cephalosporin Antibiotics
D006069 Gonorrhea Acute infectious disease characterized by primary invasion of the urogenital tract. The etiologic agent, NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE, was isolated by Neisser in 1879. Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection
D006254 Hawaii A group of islands in Polynesia, in the north central Pacific Ocean, comprising eight major and 114 minor islands, largely volcanic and coral. Its capital is Honolulu. It was first reached by Polynesians about 500 A.D. It was discovered and named the Sandwich Islands in 1778 by Captain Cook. The islands were united under the rule of King Kamehameha 1795-1819 and requested annexation to the United States in 1893 when a provisional government was set up. Hawaii was established as a territory in 1900 and admitted as a state in 1959. The name is from the Polynesian Owhyhii, place of the gods, with reference to the two volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, regarded as the abode of the gods. (From Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, 1988, p493 & Room, Brewer's Dictionary of Names, 1992, p2330) Midway Island,Midway Islands
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000890 Anti-Infective Agents Substances that prevent infectious agents or organisms from spreading or kill infectious agents in order to prevent the spread of infection. Anti-Infective Agent,Anti-Microbial Agent,Antimicrobial Agent,Microbicide,Microbicides,Anti-Microbial Agents,Antiinfective Agents,Antimicrobial Agents,Agent, Anti-Infective,Agent, Anti-Microbial,Agent, Antimicrobial,Agents, Anti-Infective,Agents, Anti-Microbial,Agents, Antiinfective,Agents, Antimicrobial,Anti Infective Agent,Anti Infective Agents,Anti Microbial Agent,Anti Microbial Agents
D024841 Fluoroquinolones A group of QUINOLONES with at least one fluorine atom and a piperazinyl group. Fluoroquinolone
D024881 Drug Resistance, Bacterial The ability of bacteria to resist or to become tolerant to chemotherapeutic agents, antimicrobial agents, or antibiotics. This resistance may be acquired through gene mutation or foreign DNA in transmissible plasmids (R FACTORS). Antibiotic Resistance, Bacterial,Antibacterial Drug Resistance

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