Prevalence of and Associated Risk Factors for Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in California, 2000-2003

Abstract

Background. Rates of fluoroquinolone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (QRNG) are increasing worldwide and in California. Methods. As a supplement to established surveillance, the investigation of QRNG in California included expanded surveillance in southern California, with in-depth interviews of patients (who had QRNG during the period of January 2001–June 2002) and a cross-sectional study of patients at 4 sexually transmitted diseases clinics with gonococcal isolates that underwent susceptibility testing (for the period of July 2001–June 2002). Results. The rate of QRNG increased from Conclusions. The emergence and spread of QRNG in California appeared to evolve from sporadic importation to endemic transmission among both MSM and heterosexuals. Monitoring of both the prevalence of and risk factors for QRNG infections is critical for making treatment recommendations and for developing interventions to interrupt transmission.