health
CDC aims to stop proliferation of drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 1, 2011
To prevent the spread of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains that are resistant to cephalosporins, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that physicians use two antibiotics, rather than one drug, to treat the bacterium.
Physicians should prescribe a cephalosporin as well as either azithromycin or doxycycline to patients with N. gonorrhoeae, according to a report in the July 8 issue of the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (link).
Gonococcal cephalosporin resistance has been documented in Asia and Norway, the report said. The potential emergence of such resistance in the U.S. is a concern because the country's gonorrhea control strategy relies on effective antibiotic therapy, the CDC said.
Doctors should remain vigilant about identifying treatment failures in patients with the gonococcal infection. Signs of treatment failure include persistent symptoms and a positive follow-up test despite treatment, the CDC added.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/01/hlbf0801.htm.
