Antimicrobial resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Jakarta, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Neisseria gonorrhoeae has developed resistance to various antimicrobials. At least 10 countries have reported treatment failures with extended-spectrum cephalosporins. Periodic surveillance is essential to determine local treatment guidelines. This study was conducted to determine the resistance of N. gonorrhoeae to penicillin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, cefixime and ceftriaxone among the high-risk population for acquiring STIs in Jakarta and to identify factors associated with resistance. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia, from September to November 2018. In all, 98 high-risk males and females who fulfilled the study criteria were included. Specimens were collected from urethral or endocervical swabs, put into Amies transport medium and then transported to the Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Universitas Indonesia for culture and identification. Proven gonococcal isolates were examined for susceptibility to various antimicrobials using the disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines. Results: Of the 98 specimens, 35 were confirmed to be N. gonorrhoeae. The proportion of N. gonorrhoeae specimens resistant to penicillin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, cefixime and ceftriaxone among the high-risk population was 97.1%, 97.1%, 34.3%, 0% and 0% respectively. The possible factors associated with resistance could only be analysed for levofloxacin. Age, sexual orientation and a history of orogenital sexual activity during the past month were not associated with N. gonorrhoeae resistance to levofloxacin. Conclusion: This study detected no resistance of N. gonorrhoeae to cefixime and ceftriaxone. Further studies with larger samples are needed to obtain more representative results of N. gonorrhoeae resistance and the possible factors associated with resistance.