Does Recent Azithromycin Treatment Decrease Susceptibility of N. gonorrhoeae?

Prior exposure to azithromycin within 30 days of gonorrhea diagnosis was associated with an increased minimum inhibitory concentration.

Evidence has shown that resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to azithromycin is increasing. The long half-life of azithromycin, resulting in subtherapeutic concentrations, as well as its frequent use as treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, respiratory infections, and skin infections, may be driving selection toward less susceptible organisms.

To examine this issue further, researchers in Amsterdam performed a retrospective cohort study involving 323 patients with a gonorrhea diagnosis between 1999 and 2013. Among these, 212 had no prior exposure to azithromycin, 97 were exposed between 31 and 60 days before diagnosis, and 14 were exposed ≤30 days before diagnosis.

The geometric mean azithromycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) w…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Does Recent Azithromycin Treatment Decrease Susceptibility of N. gonorrhoeae?

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Reviewing Author