Antimicrobial Resistance Data - Gonorrhoea
GRASP: The Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme
Overview
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in England and Wales. The persistence of gonorrhoea, its association with poor reproductive and sexual health outcomes, and the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance have made it a major public health concern.N. gonorrhoeae infection can be easily treated with appropriate antimicrobials. Antimicrobial treatment should be expected to eradicate 95% of uncomplicated gonococcal infections within the community. However, the effective treatment of gonorrhoea has been complicated by the ability of N. gonorrhoeae to develop resistance to antimicrobial agents. In the presence of resistance to first line antimicrobials and possible treatment failure, the likelihood of onward transmission of the organism within the community and development of adverse clinical sequelae in the infected individual are substantially increased.
The annual GRASP collection combines laboratory and clinical data on gonococcal isolates diagnosed in sentinel laboratories. From 2001 the annual GRASP collection has consisted of 26 collaborating GUM clinics covered by 24 laboratories.
See further details on the structure and process of GRASP.
Current Antimicrobial Prescribing Policy
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Therapy for gonorrhoea is often given before the susceptibility of the infecting organism is known, and GRASP has both informed and recommended changes to national guidelines to ensure that more the 95% of infections respond to first-line therapy. Current treatment-guidelines recommend a cephalosporin: ceftriaxone or cefixime as first-line therapy. Fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin are no longer recommended as first-line therapies for gonococcal infections.
Treatment Guidelines
National Guideline on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gonorrhoea in Adults 2005 Commissioned by: Clinical Effectiveness Group, BASHH (British Association for Sexual Health and HIV).
Previous Publications
GRASP Annual Report 2007 (PDF, 285 KB)
The Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP), Year 2007 Collection- GRASP Annual Report 2006 (PDF, 377 KB)
The Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP), Year 2006 Collection - GRASP Annual Report 2005 (PDF, 894 KB)
The Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP), Year 2005 Collection - GRASP Annual Report 2004 (PDF, 1.3 MB)
The Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP), Year 2004 Collection - GRASP Annual Report 2003 (PDF, 624 KB)
The Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP), Year 2003 Collection - GRASP Annual Report 2002 (PDF, 781 KB)
The Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP), Year 2002 Collection - GRASP Annual Report 2001 (PDF, 156 KB)
The Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP), Year 2001 Collection - GRASP Annual Report 2000 (PDF, 666 KB)
The Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP), Year 2000 Collection
GRASP Related Publications
Other useful sites on antimicrobial resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae
GRASP 2008 Slide Set (PowerPoint Presentation, 1.4 MB)- Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP)
Added/updated: 8 March 2010
