High prevalence of ceftriaxone-resistant and XDR Neisseria gonorrhoeae in several cities of Cambodia, 2022–23: WHO Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (EGASP)

The WHO Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (EGASP) conducted a study in Cambodia from January 2022 to June 2023, revealing a high prevalence of ceftriaxone-resistant, MDR, and XDR N. gonorrhoeae. The study found that resistance to ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin was 15.4%, 43.1%, 14.4%, and 97.1%, respectively. 6.2% of isolates were resistant to all four antimicrobials, indicating the need for expanded surveillance, revision of treatment, mandatory test of cure, enhanced sexual contact notification, and the development of novel antimicrobials for gonorrhoea treatment.