Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Jeff
Tele
Web site:
FROM:
JANE DRUMMOND
DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: CDC Changes Recommendations for Gon
Due to Drug Resistance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CD
Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) no long
known as fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and lev
gonorrhea in Missouri. This limits the options available to tre
common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States.
The recommendation was prompted by new data released las
and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) showing that fluoroqu
now widespread in the United States among heterosexuals an
(MSM). The data showed the proportion of drug-resistant ca
rising above the recognized threshold of 5 percent for changin
recommendations. CDC had recommended fluoroquinolones
gonorrhea in MSM when this threshold was crossed in earlier
The new data, from CDC’s Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance P
cities, showed that among heterosexual men, the proportion o
fluoroquinolone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (QRNG) rea
half of 2006, an 11-fold increase from 0.6 percent in 2001.
Recommended options for treating gonorrhea are now limited
antibiotics known as cephalosporins. Public health officials b
options underscores the need for accelerated research into new
efforts to monitor for emerging drug resistance, especially to
“There is also an urgent need for new, effective medicines to
running out of options to treat this serious disease,” said Dr. K
CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD,
“Increased vigilance in monitoring for resistance to all availa
While significant resistance to cephalosporins has not been o
working with state and local health departments to monitor em
resistance. CDC and MDHSS are urging STD clinics to main
perform cultures for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and to assess any
for possible resistance.
Health Advisory
April 16, 2007
orrhea Treatment
C) and the Missouri
er recommend antibiotics
ofloxacin) as a