STI surge in Europe signals wider spread of drug-resistant infections, report warns
7 reported
A surge in sexually transmitted infections in Europe points to a broader problem of drug-resistant infections spreading beyond hospitals and into communities, according to a report in The Guardian. The article notes that the speed and scale of global travel allows drug-resistant pathogens to move rapidly between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries, where the burden is often greatest and surveillance more limited. It highlights an unprecedented spike in drug-resistant gonorrhoea cases, with 82 million new gonorrhoea infections globally in 2020, the majority in low- and middle-income countries. The article states that extensively drug-resistant gonorrhoea strains detected in Cambodia have spread to France and Australia, and that Neisseria gonorrhoeae has developed resistance to all antibiotics except ceftriaxone, with growing cases resistant even to that. It warns that drug-resistant infections such as MRSA acquired in everyday environments are becoming more common, and that one in six bacterial infections is now resistant to first-line antibiotics. The article calls for a new model for antibiotic development, citing the not-for-profit development of zoliflodacin for multidrug-resistant gonorrhoea as an example.
What’s reported
The article reports a surge in STIs in Europe as an early warning sign for drug-resistant infections spreading in the community.
82 million new gonorrhoea cases occurred globally in 2020, most in low- and middle-income countries.
Extensively drug-resistant gonorrhoea strains from Cambodia have spread to France and Australia.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae has developed resistance to all antibiotics except ceftriaxone, with growing resistance even to that.
One in six bacterial infections is now resistant to first-line antibiotics.
Nearly 5 million AMR-related deaths occur each year, expected to rise by 70% by 2050.
Zoliflodacin, a first-in-class antibiotic for multidrug-resistant gonorrhoea, was developed using a not-for-profit model.
Sources: The Guardian
