dimanche 17 juillet 2016

Super Resistant Gonorrhea Strain May Become Incurable With Antibiotics

Gonorrhea sign surrounded by antibiotics. [Image via Green Apple/Shutterstock Images]

A super resistant gonorrhea strain is now resistant to antibiotics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now reporting that the STD’s resistance rates have increased in the last two years.

Two drugs, azithromycin and ceftriaxone, are now being used to treat the sexually transmitted disease, but data shows that the drugs are losing their effectiveness. Gonorrhea samples that were resistant to azithromycin rose from 0.6 percent to 2.5 percent, while those resistant to ceftriaxone increased from 0.4 percent to 0.8 percent, according to PBS Newshour.

The increases don’t appear high, but scientists are concerned. The reason is that even with combination drug therapy, which is recommended by the CDC, the bacteria is showing signs of resistance.

One of the authors of the report, Dr. Robert Kirkcaldy, stated that the chance of the super gonorrhea becoming resistant to all antibiotics is low, and he expounded on what scientists have discovered, per STAT News.

“But what we do know is that this bacteria has demonstrated the ability, repeatedly, to develop antibiotic resistance to the drugs that have been used for it… The potential for untreatable gonorrhea is a very real possibility in the future.”

Gonorrhea is common, and in 2014, over 350,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with the STD. Symptoms vary, and those infected may have none. Others may experience burning, discharge or pain at the site of the infection such as the anus, uterus, penis, mouth, or throat.

It is dangerous to leave the disease untreated as it can cause chronic pelvic pain or infertility in women. In men, there may be testicular pain, and in rare cases infertility. If the bacteria enters the blood, it can infect joints, causing them to swell, and in extreme cases, bacteria can move into the heart, which can cause death.

Pregnant women who are infected can pass the infection on to their babies. The infant can get a blood or an eye infection which could possibly cause blindness.

Kirkcaldy said the bacteria that cause gonorrhea has been resisting antibiotics ever since they have been used as a treatment against the disease. Although resistance to both azithromycin and ceftriaxone has been observed, cases of gonorrhea have been cured to date. The doctor added that resistance is likely in the future, added STAT News.

“We think … it’s a matter of when and not if with resistance. This bug is so smart and can mutate so rapidly.”

Dr. Vanessa Allen, a microbiologist for Public Health Ontario, has more recent statistics than the CDC and agrees with Kirkcaldy that resistance “seems to persist.”

“It doesn’t seem to be a blip in the Ontario context.”

Allen also stated that the rate at which Ontario is seeing resistance to the two drugs is similar to the CDC’s reports. Kirkcaldy commented that what makes gonorrhea so difficult to cure is that once it acquired drug resistance, it doesn’t lose it. The bacteria remain resistant to antibiotics that may have been used to treat it decades ago.

Neither doctor could predict how quickly the super gonorrhea bacteria might become immune to azithromycin and ceftriaxone. Condoms can help prevent any STD, including gonorrhea, but are not 100 percent reliable. Regular pap smears and exams are key to prevention, and if symptoms are present, a physician should be seen immediately.

[Photo by Green Apple/Shutterstock]

Super Resistant Gonorrhea Strain May Become Incurable With Antibiotics is an article from: The Inquisitr News

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