Clinical Pharmacy infectious diseases

gonorrhea

Topic overview

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Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a gram-negative diplococcus with substantial resistance to fluoroquinolones and macrolides; rising ceftriaxone MICs also make resistance surveillance important. Infection may involve the urethra, cervix, rectum, pharynx, or conjunctiva, and can lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, disseminated infection, and neonatal ophthalmia. Nucleic acid amplification testing is the preferred diagnostic method, while culture is important when treatment fails or susceptibility testing is needed. Management varies with infection site and clinical circumstances, including pregnancy, severe beta-lactam allergy, and disseminated disease. Follow-up testing, partner treatment, prevention counseling, and public-health reporting support effective care.

Learning objectives

What you'll learn

  • Identify common sites of gonococcal infection and important complications.
  • Distinguish the roles of NAAT and culture in diagnosis and follow-up.
  • Recognize treatment considerations for uncomplicated, pharyngeal, and disseminated infection.
  • Describe partner management, prevention counseling, and resistance surveillance.
  • Explain why follow-up testing is part of gonorrhea care.
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