Despite a sharp decline in the incidence of gonococcal infection in developed countries during the last decade gonorrhea remains one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in developing countries and a global health problem. In the absence of effective vaccine control of gonococcal infection mainly depends on identification and treatment of the infected individuals and reductions in sexual risk behavior. Early and successful antibiotic treatment of gonococcal infection is important for cure of the patient prevention of complications and to reduce transmission. Strategies for control of gonorrhea have relied on the use of highly effective and often single-dose therapy administered at the time of diagnosis. Information on antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is therefore important to guide selection of an appropriate antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial resistance in gonococci often spreads rapidly between countries and infected travelers often appear for treatment in countries distant from the place of contact. Hence local and regional antimicrobial resistance data are important for management of gonorrhea. Specific data on the incidence of gonorrhea and antimicrobial resistance of N. gonorrhoeae in Nepal is lacking. A pilot study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of current recommendations for treatment for gonorrhea which is a single oral dose of 500 mg ciprofloxacin. (excerpt)