Emergence of Increased Azithromycin Resistance During Unsuccessful Treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection With Azithromycin (Portland, OR, 2011)

In Brief We describe the emergence of an azithromycin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae variant in a man from Portland, Oregon, during sole treatment with 2 g azithromycin. This report highlights the ease with which gonococcal macrolide resistance can emerge, the threat of multidrug resistant N. gonorrhoeae, and the need for adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention treatment guidelines. This report presents a case of verified gonorrhea treatment failure with 2 g of azithromycin and the selection of a gonococcal variant with increased azithromycin resistance during treatment.