Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea has progressively developed resistance to the antibiotic drugs prescribed to treat it. Following the spread of gonococcal fluoroquinolone resistance, the cephalosporin antibiotics have been the foundation of recommended treatment for gonorrhea. The emergence of cephalosporin-resistant gonorrhea would significantly complicate the ability of providers to treat gonorrhea successfully, since we have few antibiotic options left that are simple, well-studied, well-tolerated and highly effective. It is critical to continuously monitor antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and encourage research and development of new treatment regimens.
2021 STI Treatment Guidelines – Gonococcal Infections – Expands on treatment recommendations updated in December 2020. (July 22, 2021)
Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States 2019 and Drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae pathogen pagepdf icon (November 13, 2019)
Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project (GISP) Profiles 2019 – Provides site-specific data for CDC’s surveillance system that monitors U.S. antibiotic resistance trends for gonorrhea in select STD clinics. (July 2021)
AR Investment Map – This interactive tool shows CDC’s key investments to combat antibiotic resistance (AR), including drug-resistant gonorrhea, across the nation.
Through CDC’s AR Lab Network, the Maryland Public Health Laboratory offers nationwide gradient strip method antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST)—at no cost—to assist in care of patients with potentially drug-resistant gonorrhea infections. Learn more on this fact sheet.pdf icon
Related Resources
ARG Infographics
Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative
Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD)
Improving Antibiotic Use to Treat Gonorrhea