Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates and gonorrhoea treatment in the Republic of Belarus, Eastern Europe, 2009-2019

Abstract

Background: Increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae , including to first-line treatment options, is a great concern worldwide. However, very limited gonococcal AMR data are available in Eastern Europe. We investigated the AMR in N. gonorrhoeae isolates (n=522) cultured in three regions of the Republic of Belarus, 2009-2019, antimicrobial treatment recommended nationally, and treatment given to 1652 gonorrhoea patients in two of the regions (Minsk, 2013-2018; Mogilev, 2010-2019). Methods: Determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of eight antimicrobials was performed using Etest and, where available, resistance breakpoints from the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing were applied. β-lactamase production was examined using a Nitrocefin test. Gonorrhoea treatment was analysed from medical records. Results: In total, 27.8% of isolates were resistant to tetracycline, 24.7% to ciprofloxacin, 7.0% to benzylpenicillin, 2.7% to cefixime, and 0.8% to azithromycin. No isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone, spectinomycin, or gentamicin. However, four (0.8%) isolates had a ceftriaxone MIC of 0.125 mg/L, which is exactly at the resistance breakpoint (MIC>0.125 mg/L). Only one (0.2%) isolate, from 2013, produced β-lactamase. From 2009-2019, the levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline were relatively stably high. Resistance to cefixime was not identified before 2013, but peaked at 22.2% in 2017. Only sporadic isolates with resistance to azithromycin were found in 2009 (n=1), 2012 (n=1) and 2018-2019 (n=2). Overall, 862 (52.2%) patients received first-line treatment in accordance with national guidelines (ceftriaxone 1 g). However, 154 (9.3%) patients received a nationally recommended alternative treatment (cefixime 400 mg or ofloxacin 400 mg), and 636 (38.5%) patients were given treatment non-compliant to the Belarusian national gonorrhoea guideline. Conclusions: Ceftriaxone 1 g, in combination with azithromycin 2 g particularly when chlamydial infection has not been excluded, should be recommended as empiric first-line treatment. Spectinomycin 2 g, where available, together with azithromycin 2 g could be an alternative treatment. When susceptibility has not been confirmed by testing, fluoroquinolones should not be used for treatment. Timely updating of and high compliance to national evidence-based gonorrhoea treatment guidelines that are based on quality-assured AMR data is imperative. Continued and expanded gonococcal AMR surveillance in Belarus is crucial.

Antimicrobial resistance and molecular epidemiological typing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, 2012 and 2017

“…mostly countries earlier belonging to the Soviet Union). Accordingly, limited gonococcal AMR data have only been reported from Russia [ 33 , 38 – 41 ], Belarus [ 42 – 44 ], and Ukraine [ 45 , 46 ]. No AMR or phenotypic/genetic characteristics of N. gonorrhoeae strains spreading in Kyrgyzstan have been internationally published.…”