STIs on the Rise: Time to Get Serious About Gonorrhea
Ah, sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—the topic that makes every cocktail party awkward, but here we are! Brace yourselves because the numbers are in, and they’re not pretty. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incidence of STIs in the US has been doing that annoying trend where it just keeps climbing. In 2021 alone, we hit an estimated 2.5 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. That’s up from 2.4 million in 2020. It’s almost like they’re trying to create a new Olympic sport: “Syphilis Sprinting.”
Gonorrhea: The Underdog That Keeps Evolving
Among these infections, our good ol’ friend gonorrhea is becoming particularly troublesome. Meet the “super-gonorrhea,” if you will. This isn’t the kind you want your date to have bragging rights about. Scientists identified a nasty new multidrug-resistant strain, thanks to the little genetic troublemaker known as the penA 60.001 allele in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This genetic cocktail party cranks up the antibiotic resistance like it’s happy hour in a bacterial bar. It’s a sobering thought when you realize that this strain has found its way onto the CDC’s urgent threats list like it’s a VIP guest. No one wants to be on that list unless you’re invited for free drinks, ideally with no strings attached.
A Dose of Reality
While most of these resistant strains have been lurking abroad, Massachusetts had the audacity to confirm two cases last year. But don’t worry, folks: local clinicians swooped in with the superhero antibiotic, ceftriaxone, and saved the day—this time! However, this strain’s resistant nature has given it the upper hand over five classes of antibiotics, including our last-resort buddy, ceftriaxone. It’s like entering a boxing ring and discovering your opponent has a hidden sixth arm!
New Hope on the Horizon: Zoliflodacin
As we scramble for solutions, the emergence of a new player has made its entrance: Zoliflodacin. This isn’t just any run-of-the-mill antibiotic; it’s a first-in-class oral, single-dose treatment that’s currently strutting its stuff in late-stage clinical trials. Think of it as the emerging superhero antibiotic we’ve been waiting for to vanquish the villainous strains of gonorrhea. In a global, randomized controlled study—fancy term alert—it’s shown some promising results. Who says science can’t be exciting?
This week, during ID Week 2024, Dr. David Altarac, CMO of Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics, will be presenting data that screams, “Hey, we can treat gonorrhea, including the resistant strains!” Exciting stuff—as long as you have a healthy respect for STIs. Altarac emphasized that the company’s aim is to keep it focused on uncomplicated gonorrhea and treat it responsibly. Basically, they want to stop this infection from pulling any more stunts akin to a surprise sequel no one asked for.
FDA Approval: The Final Boss
With the promising phase 3 results in hand, the plan is to file for FDA approval—because what’s an antibiotic without a government stamp of approval, am I right? They’re aiming for the first quarter of next year, and if all goes well, we could see Zoliflodacin in pharmacies as the next “it” drug. It’s already received both “qualified infectious disease product” and “fast track” designations from the FDA—talk about making fast friends in high places!
As our old foe gonorrhea continues its evolutionary journey, Zoliflodacin could be the ray of hope we’ve long needed. A call to action folks: stay informed, stay protected, and let’s not let the super-gonorrheas of the world outpace us in their latest evolution phase. Now, if only that could apply to my weight loss journey!
References:
- CDC. (January 30, 2024). Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
- Contagion. (January 26, 2024). A Growing Concern About Gonorrhea’s Resistance to Antibiotics.
- JAMA. (2024). Multidrug-Resistant “Super Gonorrhea” Rallies Multipronged Effort. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.15355
- Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics. (September 19, 2024). Findings from Subgroup Analyses.