New guidelines for management of N. gonorrhoeae in the context of evolving susceptibility patterns

Issue: BCMJ, vol. 54, No. 2, March 2012, Page 67 BC Centre for Disease Control
By: Travis Hottes, MSc, Gina Ogilvie, MD, MSc, FCFP, DrPH Richard T. Lester, MD, Miguel Imperial, MD Mark Gilbert, MD, MHSc, FRCPC

Over the past 30 years we have observed the successive loss of penicillin, tetracycline, and fluoroquinolone antibiotics to reliably treat Neisseria gonorrhoeae due to drug resistance.[1] Data from BC and elsewhere globally now warn against further impending gonococcal resistance to first-line treatments of cefi­xime and ceftriaxone.[2-4] 

Notably, rising minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC)—the laboratory measure used to determine the likely effectiveness of an antimicrobial agent to clear infection—for cefixime and ceftriaxone have, to date, been more commonly observed among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM).[3] In 2009 the first high-level ceftriaxone-resistant (MIC 2µg/mL) and cefixime-resistant (MIC 8µg/mL) gonococcal isolate was identified in Japan.[4] 

Although no cases of cepha­losporin resistance have been documented in BC as of January 2012, we have an opportunity to stave off its emergence with timely adjustments to treatment regimens. In this context, the Public Health Agency of Canada is recommending immediate changes to treatment and testing protocols for N. gonorrhoeae as outlined below.

Fundamental to the revised guidelines are two principles: higher doses and co-treatment with another antibiotic class.

• First-line treatment for all gonorrhea infections in MSM and for pharyngeal infection in all patients regardless of gender or sexual orientation is now ceftriaxone 250 mg IM (single dose). Cefixime 800 mg PO is an alternative treatment for patients who do not want an injection.

• For all other uncomplicated gonorrhea cases, or suspected cases, first-line treatment remains cefixime PO; however, the recommended (single) dose is doubled from 400 mg to 800 mg.

• Given both the high rate of chlamydial coinfection and the risk of multidrug resistance as highlighted above, co-treatment with azithro­mycin 1 g PO (single dose) is recommended for all gonorrhea infections treated with a cephalosporin. Doxycycline is no longer preferred for co-treatment of gonorrhea due to established tetracycline resistance in BC.[2]

In order to aid the management of individual gonococcal cases and in­form public health surveillance of drug resistance, N. gonorrhoeae cultures and susceptibility testing should be used in the following circumstances:

• Among MSM, cultures are recommended in symptomatic patients prior to treatment. Nucleic acid amplification testing should continue to be used to screen asymptomatic individuals.

• Test of cure at 7 to 30 days posttreatment with appropriate sample for gonococcal culture is recommen­ded for all cases with pharyngeal infection, with persistent symptoms, receiving a regimen other than the preferred treatment, or linked to a case of resistance/treatment failure and treated with that same antibiotic.

Of these changes in guidance, the most likely to cause concern is the recommended use of IM treatment for MSM and pharyngeal infections. The BC Centre for Disease Control has consulted with numerous practitioners working in the STI field, and in particular with clinicians seeing a high volume of MSM patients, to determine the clinical implications of these recommendations. While some challenges are anticipated, all stakeholders are concerned foremost with ensuring the best possible care and treatment.

Updates to the Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections and College of Registered Nurses of BC decision support tools are underway and will be posted shortly. The BCCDC, in partnership with the BC Public Health Microbiology & Reference Laboratory, will continue to monitor trends in antimicrobial susceptibility of N. gonorrhoeae. 

For questions or further information, contact Clinical Prevention Services at BCCDC: 604 707-5603 (nurse line), or 604 707-5606 (clinic physician). The threat of diminishing treatment options for N. gonorrhoeae underscores the need for comprehensive prevention and control measures; this shift in treatment practice is thus also a reminder of the importance of supporting notification of all partners of patients diagnosed with gonorrhea to ensure prompt testing and treatment.
—Travis Salway Hottes, MSc
—Gina Ogilvie, MD, MSc, CCFP, FCFP, DrPHC
—Richard T. Lester, MD, FRCPC
—Miguel Imperial, MD, FRCPC
—Mark Gilbert, MD, MHSc, FRCPC
BC Centre for Disease Control

This article is the opinion of the BC Centre for Disease Control and has not been peer reviewed by the BCMJ Editorial Board.

References

1. Barry PM, Klausner JD. The use of cephalosporins for gonorrhea: The im­pending problem of resistance. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2009;10:555-577.

2. BC Centre for Disease Control. Antimicrobial Resistance Trends in the Province of British Columbia, 2010. Accessed 26 January 2012. www.bccdc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/4F04BB9C-A670-4A35-A236-CE8F494D51A3/0/2010Ant....

3. Cephalosporin susceptibility among Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates—United States, 2000-2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011;60;873-877.

4. Ohnishi M, Saika T, Hoshina S, et al. Ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Japan. Emerg Infect Dis 2011;17:148-149.

Travis Hottes, MSc,, Gina Ogilvie, MD, MSc, FCFP, DrPH, Richard T. Lester, MD,, Miguel Imperial, MD, Mark Gilbert, MD, MHSc, FRCPC. New guidelines for management of N. gonorrhoeae in the context of evolving susceptibility patterns. BCMJ, Vol. 54, No. 2, March, 2012, Page(s) 67 - BC Centre for Disease Control.


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