PREVENTION & TREATMENT
A Look at AMR
The growing STI crisis is affecting millions worldwide, with resistant infections driving alarming mortality rates. The time to act is now—let’s explore how we can address this urgent challenge.
A Global Threat
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Mycoplasma genitalium are key players in a rapidly evolving public health crisis: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As treatments fail, millions of people are left without effective care, and thereby creating a growing health crisis.
The World Health Organization report states that:
More than 1 million curable STIs are acquired every day. In 2020, an estimated 374 million new infections occurred worldwide 1.
Bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths in 2019 and contributed to a total of 4.95 million deaths globally 2 .
2020 Global STI Cases Breakdown
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections 1.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections 1.
Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infections 1.
Cases breakdown in the USA
Annual cases of antimicrobial-resistant infections 3.
Annual deaths caused by antimicrobial-resistant infections 3.
In response to this escalating threat, the CDC updated its STI treatment guidelines in 2021 to include molecular-based susceptibility and resistance testing 4. These guidelines emphasize the urgent need for precision in treatment, as STIs continue to become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used. Yet, despite these updates, the implementation of these guidelines is still limited, leaving significant gaps in treatment.
References:
[1] World Health Organization. (2020). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)
[2] World Health Organization. (2019). Antibiotic resistance https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019) AR Threats Report https://www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/data-research/threats/index.html
[4] CDC 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/default.htm
Driving Innovation
to Overcome AMR
Despite these challenges, advancements in diagnostics and treatment protocols provide a powerful opportunity to turn the tide against AMR. The rise of antimicrobial resistance in STIs demands action, innovation, and collaboration.
At the heart of this challenge lies the potential to transform how we diagnose, treat, and prevent resistant infections. The solutions are within reach—explore how we can empower healthcare providers, close gaps in treatment, and save lives worldwide.