<i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> Antimicrobial Resistance: The Future of Antibiotic Therapy

The growing threat of antibiotic-resistant <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i>, which causes gonorrhea, presents a current public health challenge. Over the years, the pathogen has developed resistance to different antibiotics, leaving few effective treatment options. High-level resistance to k...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Angelo Roberto Raccagni, Martina Ranzenigo, Elena Bruzzesi, Chiara Maci, Antonella Castagna, Silvia Nozza
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Journal of Clinical Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/24/7767
Description
Summary:The growing threat of antibiotic-resistant <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i>, which causes gonorrhea, presents a current public health challenge. Over the years, the pathogen has developed resistance to different antibiotics, leaving few effective treatment options. High-level resistance to key drugs, including ceftriaxone, has become a concerning reality. This article primarily focuses on the treatment of gonorrhea and the current clinical trials aimed at providing new antibiotic treatment options. We explore ongoing efforts to assess new antibiotics, including zoliflodacin, and gepotidacin. These drugs offer new effective treatment options, but their rapid availability remains uncertain. We delve into two ongoing clinical trials: one evaluating the efficacy and safety of gepotidacin compared to the standard ceftriaxone–azithromycin combination and the other assessing the non-inferiority of zoliflodacin versus the combination therapy of ceftriaxone–azithromycin. These trials represent crucial steps in the search for alternative treatments for uncomplicated gonorrhea. Notably, gonorrhea has been included in the “WHO Priority Pathogens List for Research and Development of New Antibiotics”. In conclusion, the urgent need for innovative treatment strategies is underscored by the rising threat of antibiotic resistance in <i>N. gonorrhoeae</i>; collaboration among researchers, industries, and healthcare authorities is therefore essential.
ISSN:2077-0383