Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Increased resistance rates are observed for this sexually transmitted bacterium.

Infections with gonococci are steadily increasing. They are often observed in combination with other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, HIV, Hepatitis B or Syphilis. Although resistance rates to cephalosporines and azithromycin are increasing, ceftriaxone still is the first line therapy, but should be used in higher doses in order to prevent the development of new resistances (see SSI guidelines). Nowadays, urine samples containing gonococci are mainly genetically analysed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). By this approach resistance results are not available which leads to the fact, that the resistance situation in Switzerland can’t be described appropriately. Therefore, it is suggested to culture the bacteria in case of a gonococcal infection.