Fluoroquinolone-resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Hawaii, 1999, and decreased susceptibility to azithromycin in N. gonorrhoeae, Missouri, 1999

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2000 Sep 22;49(37):833-7.

Abstract

In 1999, 360,076 cases of gonorrhea were reported in the United States (1). Gonorrhea is a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease, often leading to ectopic pregnancy and infertility, and it can facilitate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission (2). During the 1980s, resistance to penicillin and tetracycline among gonococcal isolates became widespread; as a result, CDC recommended that other antimicrobial agents be used to treat gonorrhea. This report summarizes investigations of an increase in fluoroquinolone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Hawaii and of a cluster of N. gonorrhoeae infections with decreased susceptibility to azithromycin in Missouri.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Azithromycin / pharmacology*
  • Ciprofloxacin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Gonorrhea / drug therapy*
  • Hawaii
  • Humans
  • Missouri
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Azithromycin