CDC: Gonorrhea Guideline Adherence Still Needs Improvement

Adherence to gonorrhea treatment guidelines increased between 2015 and 2016, with 81% of reported cases receiving the recommended treatment regimen, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

However, there is still room for improvement in adherence rates, the authors of the report said.
 

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Because Neisseria gonorrhoeae progressive developed resistance to most antimicrobials used to treat the infection, the CDC recommends a 250-mg dose of ceftriaxone plus 1-g dose of azithromycin for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea.

To assess adherence rates to this guideline-recommended treatment regimen, researchers at the CDC analyzed data on reported cases of gonorrhea in 7 jurisdictions that participated in the STD Surveillance Network.

Jurisdictions included Baltimore; Maryland; California, excluding San Francisco; Florida; Massachusetts; Multinomah County, Oregon; Minnesota; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A total of 468,514 cases of gonorrhea were reported to state and local health departments in 2016, increasing by 18.5% from 2015. An estimated 81.3% of cases across 7 jurisdictions were treated with the recommended regimen.

“Providers should be aware of the national guidelines for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections,” the researchers wrote. “Monitoring of treatment practices is a critical public health priority to help assure that patients receive the highest quality of care, and to address the emerging threat of antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhea.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Adherence to CDC recommendations for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea – STD surveillance network, United States, 2016. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67(16):473-476. http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6716a4

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