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A strain of gonococci has been discovered that defies modern antibiotics
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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An international team of scientists has reported the discovery of a previously unknown strain of gonococcus that is resistant to all modern antibiotics. In other words, a strain of the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae is quite capable of turning an easily curable infection into a global threat to public health.
Analysis of the strain, called H041, has identified genetic mutations responsible for the bacteria's extreme resistance to all cephalosporin antibiotics, the last drugs still effective in treating gonorrhea. And while it's too early to make any assessments, the bacteria's history of resistance suggests that the scourge could spread rapidly around the world while new drugs and effective treatments are being developed.
Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world. In the United States alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cases of gonorrhea infection is about 700,000 per year.
In 50% of infected women and 2-5% of men, the disease is asymptomatic. Gonorrhea most often affects the mucous membranes of the genital tract, less often - the mucous membrane of the rectum, conjunctiva. The disease sometimes moves to the bladder, spreads further to the ureters and causes disease of the kidneys themselves. Inflammation of the mucous membrane can spread deep into the tissues. The lymphatic glands and vessels are also affected. Gonorrhea is very often the cause of infertility.
A report of the study's findings will be presented at the 19th conference of the International Society for Research on Sexually Transmitted Diseases, which is being held in Quebec City, Canada, on July 10.
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