Antibiotic resistance in gonorrhea Antibiotic resistance in gonorrhea The Gonorrhea bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae has developed antibiotic resistance to many antibiotics. The bacteria was first identified in 1879, although some Biblical scholars believe that references to the disease can be found as early as Parshat Metzora of the Old Testament. In the 1940s effective treatment with penicillin became available, but by the 1970s resistant strains predominated. Resistance to penicillin has developed through two mechanisms: chromasomally mediated resistance (CMRNG) and penicillinase-mediated resistance (PPNG). CMRNG involves step wise mutation of penA, which codes for the penicillin-binding protein (PBP-2); mtr, which encodes an efflux pump that removes penicillin
Antibiotic use in livestock common foods harboring these pathogens. There is evidence that a large proportion of resistant "E. coli" isolates causing blood stream infections in people are from livestock produced as food. When manure from antibiotic-fed swine is used as fertilizer elsewhere, the manure may be contaminated with bacteria which can infect humans. Studies have also shown that direct contact with livestock can lead to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from animals to humans. Sampling of retail meats such as turkey, chicken, pork and beef consistently show high levels of Enterobacteriaceae. Rates of resistant bacteria in these meats are high as well. Sources