A strain of gonococci has been discovered that does not respond to modern antibiotics
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The international team of scientists reported finding a previously unknown strain of gonococci, which can not be cured by any modern antibiotic. In other words, the strain of the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae is quite capable of turning an easily curable infection into a worldwide threat to public health.
Analysis of the strain named H041 allowed to identify the genetic mutations responsible for the extreme resistance of the bacterium to all antibiotics of the class of cephalosporins - the latter for today, still effective in treating gonorrhea. And, although it is too early to give any estimates, the history of development in the bacterium of resistance confirms that the attack can quickly spread around the world, while new drugs and effective courses of treatment are being developed.
Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world. Only in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cases of gonorrhea infection is about 700 thousand per year.
In 50% of infected women and 2-5% of men this disease is asymptomatic. With gonorrhea, the mucous membranes of the genital tract are more often affected, less often - the mucosa of the rectum, the conjunctiva. The disease sometimes passes to the bladder, spreads further to the ureters and causes the disease of the kidneys themselves. Inflammation of the mucous membrane is able to spread and into the depth of tissues. Lymph glands and vessels are also affected. Very often gonorrhea is the cause of infertility.
A report with the results of the study will be presented at the 19th conference of the International Community for Research on Sexually Transmitted Diseases, which takes place in Quebec, Canada, on July 10.
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