Webinar: Innovation to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Objective:
To discuss priority initiatives and innovations to control the spread and impact of gonococcal antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Background:

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a major public health threat, with Neisseria gonorrhoeae being designated as a “high priority antibiotic resistant pathogen” by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus), and it is a major public health priority globally. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there were 87 million cases among adults worldwide. The complications of gonorrhea disproportionately affect women, including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility, as well as increased transmission and acquisition of HIV.

Widespread antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in highly variable strains of N. gonorrhoeae has continuously compromised the management and control of gonorrhea. Since the introduction of antimicrobial treatment, resistance has rapidly emerged to sulphonamides, penicillins, tetracyclines, macrolides, fluoroquinolones and early-generation cephalosporins. Currently, in most countries the injectable extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC) ceftriaxone is the only remaining empiric monotherapy for gonorrhea. However, gonococcal in vitro resistance and/or treatment failures to the last-line oral ESC cefixime – and more rarely to ceftriaxone – have been verified in many countries.  

In 2016, the United Nations (UN) World Health Assembly endorsed the WHO global health sector strategy on sexually transmitted infections 2016–2021. One of the major targets is a 90% reduction in the incidence of gonorrhea globally; to achieve this goal, gonococcal AMR needs to be addressed.

In 2012, WHO launched a global action plan to control the spread and impact of gonococcal AMR.  WHO is prioritizing the implementation of the following priority initiatives: strengthening the gonorrhoea AMR surveillance programme (GASP), improving STI case management and control, development of new gonorrhoea treatment, development of diagnostic tools to support antibiotic stewardship in N. gonorrhoeae and development of a vaccine. This plan is linked to the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR, adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2015, which was reaffirmed during the UN General Assembly High-level Meeting on AMR in September 2016.

Moderator:
• Yamuna Mundade, Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, WHO

Speakers:
• Meg Doherty, Director, Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, WHO
• Haileyesus Getahun, Director of Global Coordination & Partnership on AMR, WHO  
• Teodora Wi, Medical Officer, Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, WHO
• Magnus Unemo, Director, WHO CC for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, Orebro University Hosp., Sweden
• Emily Weston, STI Surveillance, Division of STI Prevention, US CDC
• Seamus O'Brien, Director of Research & Development, GARDP
• Cecilia Ferreyra, Head of AMR Programme, FIND
• Sami Gottlieb, Medical Officer, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, WHO

Please use the link below:

https://who.zoom.us/j/92912753286

Meeting ID: 929 1275 3286

Passcode: ST1-WA4W