Hospital Business Week
September 30, 2007
DRUG RESISTANCE;
Reports from Princess Margaret Hospital highlight recent research in
drug resistance
Research findings, "Antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria
gonorrheae strains in three regions of Armenia," are discussed in a
new report. According to a study from Toronto, Canada, "There are no
data available on gonococcal susceptibility in the Caucasus region.
We aimed to determine in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of
Neisseria gonorrheae in Armenia in order to update the national
treatment protocol."
"Isolates from men with urethral discharge presenting at 3 STI
clinics in 3 different sites of Armenia were used to determine
susceptibility of N. gonorrheae strains for 11 antimicrobials using
the disc diffusion technique. Among the 101 isolates tested the
susceptibility rate for penicillin, doxycycline, and kanamycin were
37.6, 25.7, and 80.2%, respectively. Sensitivity to quinolones was
95% for both ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. All strains were
susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins and to spectinomycin.
Only 11% of strains were susceptible to all antibiotics tested.
Third-generation cephalosporines and spectinomycin are suitable
first-line regimens," wrote G. Hovhannisyan and colleagues, Princess
Margaret Hospital.
The researchers concluded: "Quinolones are not advisable as
first-line treatment given current borderline susceptibility, known
tendency for rapid resistance development in this class, and frequent
over-the-counter use of this antibiotic in Armenia."
Hovhannisyan and colleagues published the results of their research
in Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Antimicrobial susceptibility of
Neisseria gonorrheae strains in three regions of Armenia. Sexually
Transmitted Diseases, 2007;34(9):686-8).
For additional information, contact G. Hovhannisyan, Princess
Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
The publisher of the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases can be
contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St.,
Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA.
Keywords: Canada, Toronto, Antimicrobial Resistance, Antimicrobials,
Drug Resistance, Infectious Disease, Sexually Transmitted Disease,
Therapy, Treatment.
This article was prepared by Hospital Business Week editors from
staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Hospital Business Week via
NewsRx.com.