Two were HIV infected. Two reported antimicrobial use during the 30 days before diagnosis. All 12 were treated with cefixime. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, cefixime, spectinomycin, ciprofloxacin, and penicillin. J Hale, MS, K Holmes, MD, Seattle GISP Regional Laboratory, Univ of Washington, Seattle.
Antimicrobial resistance is an ongoing challenge for gonorrhea treatment and control.
These investigations highlight an increased prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant gonorrhea in Hawaii and the emergence in Kansas City of the first reported cluster of patients with AziDS gonorrhea. These reports are limited to describing data routinely documented in medical records. Fluoroquinolones are used widely in the United States to treat gonorrhea. HDH and CDC recommend clinicians in Hawaii no longer use fluoroquinolone antimicrobials to treat gonorrhea. Therefore, for patients with gonorrhea in the United States, travel history, including sex partner travel history, should be obtained.