The EQA program contributes to the long-term monitoring of antimicrobial resistance trends in N. gonorrhoeae by promoting data accuracy, benchmarking laboratory performance, detecting emerging resistance, identifying geographic variations, assessing trends over time, informing public health policies, supporting research, and fostering international collaboration. This comprehensive approach helps address the ongoing challenge of antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhea. Based on consolidated guidance by Pan American Health Organization 2020, Antibiotic resistance in N. gonorrhoeae — given that there are therapeutic alternatives for fever, gonorrhoeae is quickly becoming a frequent antibiotic, raising concerns on a global scale. When local AMR surveillance is not available to support national treatment guidelines, the WHO has revised its advice for empiric treatment to dual antibiotic therapy (ceftriaxone + azithromycin). In addition to the lack of comprehensive gonorrhea surveillance to provide a national-level burden of illness, therapy for gonococcal infections in Latin America and the Caribbean primarily relied on clinical diagnosis. PAHO/WHO to support nations in creating or enhancing AM monitoring systems for N. gonorrhoeae. For the control and eradication of N. gonorrhoeae, regular preventative measures, early diagnosis, and efficient treatment considering local levels of AMR are crucial. By 2030, gonorrhea will be a serious public health issue. PAHO/WHO reiterates their advice to Latin American and Caribbean nations to give priority to the establishment of AMR monitoring in N. gonorrhoeae as a crucial part of their STI surveillance system.

Reference:

Neisseria gonorrhoeae Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance: Consolidated Guidance. Pan American Health Organization. (2020). https://iris.paho.org/bitstream/handle/10665.2/52307/9789275122372_eng.pdf?sequence=1