High-Level Neisseria gonorrhea Resistance Detected in a Newly Implemented Surveillance Program in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Background Neisseria gonorrhea resistance is a growing problem in Uganda with recent data showing increasing ciprofloxacin resistance up to 100% in this population. The WHO Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (EGASP) was initiated in Uganda in September 2016 to monitor resistance trends.Methods Urethral swabs were collected from men presenting with urethral discharge to the five sentinel clinic sites from September 2016 to March 2017. Samples were transported to a reference laboratory site. Presumptive identification of N. gonorrhea was based on growth of typical appearing colonies on Thayer–Martin in 5% CO2, a positive oxidase test, and observation of Gram-negative, oxidase-positive diplococci in stained smears.Results116 samples were received to the reference laboratory site of which 70 (60.3%) had positive growth for Neisseria gonorrhea. Mean age was 28.5 (range 17–60). Fifty-one participants (44%) reported at least one prior episode of gonorrhea and 42 (36%) reported antibiotic use within the previous 60 days. Of those with completed Etest (bioMerieux, Marcy-lÕEtoile, France) resistance profiles, 66 (96%) were ciprofloxacin-resistant or intermediate. One isolate was ceftriaxone-resistant by E-test but susceptible by disk diffusion.Conclusion Early results from implementation of a gonorrhea surveillance program in Uganda suggest high levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin (90%) by Etest and penicillin (93%) and tetracyclines (100%) by disk diffusion. Prior studies of gonococcal resistance in Uganda have noted increasing levels of resistance, particularly to ciprofloxacin which until 2010 was the recommended first-line empiric therapy for gonococcal infection in Uganda. Of note, discrepancies were occasionally noted between disk diffusion and Etest results, which requires further investigation. Ongoing surveillance efforts will be crucial to shape clinical guidelines and national policy.Figure 1.(a) Neisseria gonorrhea antibiotic susceptibility profile by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion. (b) Neisseria gonorrhea antibiotic susceptibility profile by Etest. *PEN = penicillin, CXM = cefuroxime, CRO = ceftriaxone, FOX = cefoxitin, CFM = cefixime, SPT = spectinomycin, GEN = gentamicin, CIP = ciprofloxacin, TCY = tetracycline, AZM = azithromycin.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.