Is there a future for the ongoing use of azithromycin for the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

Abstract

Effective treatment for Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an ongoing concern because of its growing resistance to all current recommended treatments. Infections at extragenital sites, particularly the oropharynx, are important to cure because of their role in ongoing transmission and because resistance is believed to originate at this site. This commentary reports on the results of a randomised control trial (RCT) that compared ceftriaxone 500mg plus 2g of azithromycin or gentamicin 240mg plus 2g azithromycin for the treatment of extragenital gonorrhoea infection, and found 100% microbial cure for both treatment regimens. While this regimen offers an alternative effective treatment, it is likely to b..