Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhoea Cases Rise in England

June 4, 2025  Source: drugdu 58

 

"/The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published the latest figures on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in England. They show an ongoing increase in cases of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea, despite a general decline in gonorrhoea infections.

The figures showed a 16% reduction in gonorrhoea diagnoses generally, with 71,802 cases recorded in 2024 compared with 85,370 in 2023. The agency described this as encouraging and noted that the decline was most pronounced among young people aged 15-24 years, with diagnoses falling by more than a third (36%).

Antibiotic Resistance a Growing Concern
Despite the overall decline, the UKHSA warned of a “concerning acceleration” in cases of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea.

While most infections remain treatable, resistance to ceftriaxone — the first-line treatment — poses significant clinical challenges.

Ceftriaxone resistance remains uncommon in the UK but is frequently reported in the Asia-Pacific region. The UKHSA noted that many of the resistant cases had links to travel from that area.

Three ceftriaxone-resistant strains were identified in 2019, with a case detected in London in 2021 and three more confirmed by the UKHSA in 2022.

In the first five months of 2025, 14 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea have been identified, surpassing the 13 recorded in all of 2024. Six of the cases this year were extensively drug-resistant, meaning that they were resistant to both ceftriaxone and to second-line treatments.

STI Trends Across England
The new data, published on Tuesday, show broader STI trends:

Total new STI diagnoses fell by 8.8%, from 399,947 in 2023 to 364,750 in 2024.
Chlamydia cases decreased by 13%, from 194,143 to 168,889.
First-episode genital warts cases fell by 4.3%, from 26,193 to 25,056. Among 15- to 17-year-olds — eligible for HPV vaccination — cases dropped from 108 to 78.
Diagnoses of early-stage syphilis rose 1.7%, from 9375 to 9535, contributing to a 4.6% overall rise in syphilis cases.
Genital herpes rose 3.5%, from 26,920 to 27,867, but remained below 2019 levels (34,464).
STIs continued to disproportionately affect young people aged 15-24, gay and bisexual men, and Black Caribbean populations.

Testing Remains Crucial
Sexual health screening volumes, including diagnostic tests for one or more of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and HIV, held steady at around 2.3 million in 2024.

Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said STIs remain a significant threat to sexual well-being.

He advised anyone who has had condomless sex with new or casual partners — either in the UK or abroad — to test for STIs and HIV at least annually, even without symptoms.

Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care, community, vaccination, and screening services at NHS England, echoed the call. She stressed that STI testing is free and accessible.

Vaccination Programme Targets At-Risk Groups
Both Doyle and Mohammed highlighted the recent launch of the world’s-first gonorrhoea vaccination programme. From August, at-risk groups — including gay and bisexual men with a recent history of multiple partners or bacterial STIs — will be offered the vaccine through sexual health services.

The programme will utilise the existing meningococcal B (4CMenB) vaccine. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommended its use due to genetic similarities between Neisseria meningitidis and N gonorrhoeae.

Observational studies have suggested that the vaccine may reduce gonorrhoea incidence by up to 40% in adolescents and young adults.

Doyle called the gonorrhoea vaccination programme "a crucial step forward in providing protection," while Mohammed said it was expected to have an impact on gonorrhoea diagnoses in future years.

Dr Sheena Meredith is an established medical writer, editor, and consultant in healthcare communications, with extensive experience writing for medical professionals and the general public. She is qualified in medicine and in law and medical ethics.

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