[Therapy of acute gonorrhea]

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Emergence of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae has rendered penicillin ineffective for treating gonorrhea.
• Increasing antibiotic resistance in gonococci poses a significant public health challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify alternative antibiotics to penicillin for treating acute gonorrhea.
• To provide recommendations for managing gonorrhea in light of rising penicillin resistance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on antibiotic resistance patterns in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• Clinical guidelines review for gonorrhea treatment.
• Pharmacological data review for thiamphenicol and spectinomycin efficacy and safety.

Main Results:

• Penicillin is no longer the first-line treatment for acute gonorrhea.
• Thiamphenicol and spectinomycin demonstrate efficacy as alternative treatments.
• Dosage recommendations for thiamphenicol (2.5g oral or 0.75g intramuscular) and spectinomycin (2.0g intramuscular) are provided.

Conclusions:

• Alternative antibiotics like thiamphenicol and spectinomycin are crucial for managing gonorrhea.
• Stewardship of antibiotic use is necessary to limit the further spread of resistant gonococcal strains.