46% increase from 2021 to 2022

Gonorrhea sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased across the continent in recent years, according to data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control. New data from Denmark has been published. euro monitoringconfirming this trend.

Danish national surveillance data presented by Pedersen et al. Over the past five years, we have seen an increase in the number of cases of both gonorrhea and chlamydia. Between 2018 and 2023, a total of 24,516 gonorrhea cases were reported in Denmark. Reports of gonorrhea increased sharply from 2021 to 2022 (46%) and further increased in 2023 compared to 2022 (7%).

Similar to observations in other European countries, the increase in gonorrhea cases in Denmark affected both men and women. However, this sharp increase was higher among young women (median) in their early to mid-20s and men who have sex with women (MSM), another at-risk population group for gonorrhea. It was larger between.

The number of tests conducted increased from 2022, but the authors note that this does not explain the increase in gonorrhea cases in Denmark.

In 2020, the overall number of infections decreased significantly due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and related restrictions that were subsequently lifted in 2022. This is associated with an increase in respiratory infections and gonorrhea. Pedersen et al. “In Denmark, the last COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in February 2022, which may have prompted behavioral changes that may have contributed to the surge in gonorrhea cases.”

Understanding the spread and drivers of infection through surveillance data and genomics

In their article, Pedersen et al. used national surveillance data and genomics to understand the prevalence and underlying drivers of gonorrhea.

The authors selected 331 representative gonorrhea isolates from across the country and found that there are underlying evolutionary factors that may be associated with the increase in gonorrhea cases, particularly among young women and heterosexual men. To investigate whether this is the case, we performed whole-genome sequencing.

Three distinct clades were identified based on 147 sequenced isolates. Overlaying epidemiological data on sex, age, and reported sexual orientation, we found that heterosexual transmission (99% of women or men who have sex with women) compared with isolates outside these clades (76%) %) was shown to be present in significant excess.

Pedersen et al. “A unique combination of genomic and epidemiological data, including sexual orientation, reveals an increasing prevalence of different lineages in different geographic regions of Denmark, almost exclusively separated from the MSM community. It was discovered that “it is shown in

The authors also found that the investigated clade, which is causing an increase in men and women having sex with women, is more common in gonorrhea treatment regimens, as opposed to variants that are particularly prevalent among MSM. They also found that they were highly sensitive to

Based on the limited genomic data available, the authors conclude that “the strains causing increased gonorrhea in men who have sex with women and women in other parts of Europe all share a common genetic background. It is currently unknown whether the recent increase in gonorrhea is associated with chlamydia and cannot be explained by antibiotic resistance among the major gonococcal lineages.”

“Rather, we hypothesize that these strains may cause infection with asymptomatic or mild symptoms and/or may cause higher transmissibility. Additionally, they may be younger, more sexually and may be more prevalent in populations with multiple partners.”

Pedersen et al. They write, “Knowledge of individual gonococcal clones and their circulation in specific demographic groups can aid in understanding transmission patterns. Similarly, the observation of gonococcal susceptibility among these clades can inform the development of targeted interventions.” It can provide information and identify populations at risk.”