Scientists discover first gonorrhea strain resistant to all antibiotics
Posted July 11, 2011 3:22 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Scientists have discovered a strain of gonorrhea that is resistant to all currently available antibiotics.
The international research team says the superbug strain, dubbed H041, is likely to transform a once easily treatable sexually transmitted disease into a global public health threat.
Swedish researcher Dr. Magnus Unemo says the discovery is alarming but also predictable because gonorrhea has shown a remarkable capacity to develop resistance to drugs.
Analysis of the strain identified in Japan shows it is highly resistant to cephalosporin antibiotics — the only drugs still effective in treating gonorrhea.
Gonorrhea is one of the most common STDs in the world and can cause infertility, increase HIV transmission and, in some cases, be fatal.
Unemo announced the discovery of the superbug strain of gonorrhea today at the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research conference in Quebec City.
