When Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, it was hailed as a “wonder drug” because it successfully treated many bacterial diseases, including:
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Strep throat
- Scarlet fever
- Diphtheria
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Meningitis
- Tonsillitis
- Rheumatic fever
However, Dr. Fleming also predicted that bacteria would evolve resistance to penicillin, which came true by 1952. Since then, new generations of penicillins and other families of antibiotics have been developed.
Unfortunately, each new antibiotic eventually faces bacterial resistance, creating an ongoing battle between scientists and bacteria. Let’s examine how it ties to gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Gonorrhea and Antibiotic Resistance
Penicillin lost its effectiveness against gonorrhea during the 1980s.
In the 1990s, fluoroquinolones were prescribed, but bacteria soon developed resistance. By 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended using cefixime (an oral tablet) or ceftriaxone (an injection).
In 2010, the CDC recommended either Suprax (cefixime) or Rocephin (ceftriaxone), along with Zithromax (azithromycin) or Vibramycin (doxycycline) for possible co-infection with chlamydia. However, by 2012, gonorrhea showed resistance to cefixime. The current recommendation is an injection of ceftriaxone along with oral azithromycin.
Resistance to azithromycin has been observed in the United States, and resistant bacteria have been detected in Asia, indicating the imminent need for new antibiotics against gonorrhea.
Chlamydia and Antibiotic Resistance
Chlamydia has been easier to treat so far. Azithromycin is typically taken as a 1-gram dose once, or doxycycline can be taken as two tablets per day for one to two weeks. However, this could change in the near future. Resistance to tetracycline (doxycycline) has been observed in chlamydia isolated from pigs.
In July 2020, the Elsevier Journal of Infectious Diseases reported a study showing resistance to azithromycin in certain genetic strains of chlamydia.
Prevention
To help keep the number of resistant strains low, it is crucial to avoid changing partners frequently and to use condoms consistently.
Did you know? QuickMD can treat chlamydia and gonorrhea from the comfort and privacy of your home and prescribe antibiotics online without needing to go to a clinic. You can also order your own STD test at a discounted price.
