According to a recent article, researchers in Kenya have warned that a drug-resistant outbreak of gonorrhea in the country could become a major fertility threat. The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has reported an increase in the number of gonorrhea cases that are becoming more difficult to treat among city dwellers.
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) after chlamydia. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2020, there were 82.4 million new gonorrhea infections among adolescents and adults aged 15 to 49 years worldwide, with most of the cases registered in Africa and the western Pacific regions.
The problem of drug-resistant gonorrhea is driven by a combination of factors, including antibiotic resistance, limited treatment options, poor adherence to treatment, and high rates of asymptomatic infection. The bacteria that causes gonorrhea, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, has developed resistance to several classes of antibiotics that were previously used to treat the infection. This means that there are fewer drugs available to treat gonorrhea, making it more difficult to effectively treat the infection.
Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men. In women, it can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to internal abscesses and chronic pelvic pain. PID can also damage the fallopian tubes enough to cause infertility or increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. In men, untreated gonorrhea may lead to infertility. It can also spread to the blood and cause arthritis, tenosynovitis, and/or dermatitis, which can be life-threatening.
The researchers also warn that the lack of new drug development and the poor adherence to treatment can lead to the development of drug-resistant strains of the bacteria. Many people with gonorrhea do not experience symptoms, so they may not seek treatment, which can lead to the spread of drug-resistant strains of the bacteria. Furthermore, people who have been treated for gonorrhea may be re-infected with a different strain of the bacteria if they have unprotected sex with an infected partner. This can make it more difficult to treat, especially if the new strain is resistant to antibiotics.
Gonorrhea is becoming more difficult to treat for several reasons:
- Antibiotic resistance: The bacteria that causes gonorrhea, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, has developed resistance to several classes of antibiotics that were previously used to treat the infection.
- Limited treatment options: As a result of antibiotic resistance, there are fewer drugs available to treat gonorrhea, making it more difficult to effectively treat the infection.
- Lack of new drug development: There have been few new drugs developed to treat gonorrhea in recent years, resulting in a lack of options for treating drug-resistant strains of the infection.
- Poor adherence to treatment: Patients may not complete their full course of antibiotics, which can lead to the development of drug-resistant strains of the bacteria.
- High rates of asymptomatic infection: Many people with gonorrhea do not experience symptoms, so they may not seek treatment, which can lead to the spread of drug-resistant strains of the bacteria.
- Co-infections: Many people who have gonorrhea also have other sexually transmitted infections, like chlamydia, which can complicate treatment and increase the likelihood of antibiotic resistance.
- Re-infection: People who have been treated for gonorrhea may be re-infected with a different strain of the bacteria if they have unprotected sex with an infected partner. This can make it more difficult to treat, especially if the new strain is resistant to antibiotics.
- Lack of regular testing: Many people do not get regularly tested for gonorrhea, which means they may not know they have it and therefore do not seek treatment, which can lead to the spread of drug-resistant strains.
- Limited access to healthcare: Some people may not have access to healthcare or may not be able to afford treatment, which can make it more difficult to contain and treat the infection.
In conclusion, the problem of drug-resistant gonorrhea is a ticking time bomb and a major threat to fertility. It is important for individuals to take precautions to protect themselves from infection and to get tested and treated if they suspect they may have been exposed to the disease. The government and health organizations must work together to develop new drugs and to improve access to healthcare, testing, and treatment to contain the spread of the disease.
