In April, a new strain of gonococcal bacteria was discovered in a traveler returning from Cambodia. The derivative of the pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes the venereal disease gonorrhea, has been shown to be multi-resistant, reports the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES). She calls for better monitoring of the situation, especially in Southeast Asia.
A gonococcal infection in women can be mild or even asymptomatic. In men, there is usually a burning sensation when urinating and discharge of purulent secretions from the urethra; an asymptomatic course is very rare. Gonorrhea – gonorrhea in technical terms – is the second most common sexually transmitted disease in this country. According to AGES, if left untreated, it can spread and lead to joint inflammation and skin changes. In rarer cases, heart valve or meningitis may also occur.
In Austria there is a limited notification requirement for the disease, which means that notification only needs to be made if there is a chance of further spread. There is no vaccination against gonococci, at the same time the pathogen turns out to be variable. He is now resistant to a large number of drugs that have long been used successfully against him.
Resistant to multiple drugs
Currently, the main focus is on the antibiotic ceftriaxone, often in combination with azithromycin. The latter has been ineffective against more and more bacteria in Austria in recent years. In terms of resistance to ceftriaxone, things have looked even better so far. The new species now described is only the second in the world to show resistance to both common drugs and some other relevant preparations.
The bacterial variant appeared in a man who had unprotected sex with a prostitute in Cambodia five days before symptoms started. Even after the therapy, the pathogen was still detectable, at least in a urine sample. This is what researcher Sonja Pleininger, who works at the National Reference Center for Gonococci or AGES, and her colleagues write in the journal “Eurosurveillance”.
Greater risk to public health
Since the first such extensively resistant strain of N. gonorrhoeae – which had fallen in Britain and Australia in 2018 – also had connections to Southeast Asia, surveillance systems need to be stepped up in Asia in particular. If new offspring are now circulating, which may be better protected against all available therapeutic options, they should be regarded as a greater threat to public health. According to the scientists, this danger must be combated with the use of condoms during sexual intercourse, the fastest possible diagnosis and accessible, effective and cheap treatments, contact tracing or a vaccine.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
