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Sex Transm Infect doi:10.1136/sti.2009.037135

Increasing trend in gonococcal resistance to ciprofloxacin in the Netherlands, 2006-2008

  1. FDH Koedijk (femke.koedijk{at}rivm.nl)
  1. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
    1. M G van Veen (maaike.van.veen{at}rivm.nl)
    1. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
      1. A J de Neeling (han.de.neeling{at}rivm.nl)
      1. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
        1. G B Linde (ilinde{at}ggd.amsterdam.nl)
        1. Municipal Health Service Amsterdam, Department of Infectious Diseases, Netherlands
          1. M A B van der Sande (marianne.van.der.sande{at}rivm.nl)
          1. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
            1. on behalf of the Dutch STI centres and the medical microbiological laboratories
              • Published Online First 24 August 2009

              Abstract

              Introduction: Rapid development of Neisseria gonorrhoeae resistance to several antibiotics in recent years threatens treatment and prevention. Targeted surveillance of new resistance patterns and insight into networks and determinants are essential to control this trend.

              Methods: Since the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance project (GRAS) was implemented within the Dutch national STI surveillance network in July 2006, participating STI centres have collected a culture from each gonorrhoea patient. Isolates were tested for susceptibility to penicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and cefotaxime using Etest®. Logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for ciprofloxacin resistance.

              Results: Between July 2006 and July 2008, prevalence of resistance to penicillin was 10%, to tetracycline 22%, and to ciprofloxacin 42%. Resistance to cefotaxime was not found, although an MIC values of 0.19 mg/L or more drifted upward (p<0.05). Ciprofloxacin resistance rose from 35% in 2006 to 46% in 2008 (p<0.05), despite 2003 guidelines naming cefotaxime as first choice therapy. In men, ciprofloxacin resistance was higher in men having sex with men (MSM) than in heterosexual men (adjusted OR: 2.0, 95%CI: 1.5-2.6). In women, it was higher in commercial sex workers (adjusted OR: 24.5, 95%CI: 7.7-78.2) and women aged over 35 years (adjusted OR: 8.2, 95%CI: 3.0-22.7) than in other women.

              Conclusion: Ciprofloxacin resistance in the Netherlands is still increasing, particularly in MSM, older women, and female sexworkers. No resistance to current first choice therapy was found, but alertness to potential clinical failures is essential. By merging epidemiological and microbiological data in GRAS, specific high-risk transmission groups can be identified and policy adjusted when needed.

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                1. sti.2009.037135v1
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