New study sheds light on increase in gonorrhoea cases in Denmark

Due to the increase in gonorrhoea cases in recent years, Statens Serum Institut (SSI) with the departments of clinical microbiology across all of Denmark have investigated the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea. The study has mapped which variants of the bacteria circulate in different age and infection groups.

The study shows that particular types of gonorrhoea bacteria have become more frequent among young heterosexuals, especially women, in Denmark over the past few years. This particularly applies to Central and Northern Jutland. These types differ from those circulating among men who have sex with men, among other things, by being more sensitive to antibiotics.

"It is the first major study of the current increase in gonorrhoea, which has been reported across Europe. The study helps to explain the change in infection patterns that have been observed. An important task now lies in understanding the distribution patterns of the new variants in more detail. There is nothing to suggest that the cause could be a failure of antibiotic treatment," says senior physician Steen Hoffmann, who leads the microbiological monitoring of gonorrhoea at SSI.

Not all STIs are on the rise

In the past, there have been theories that the sharp increase in the number of gonorrhoea cases was partly due to the covid-19 shutdowns and the subsequent reopening of society, but department doctor Maria Wessman, who is responsible for the epidemiological monitoring of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) emphasizes that the increase seen in the number of gonorrhoea cases after the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted does not apply to all STIs. Chlamydia has increased significantly less in the same time period.

"This may, therefore, lead to considerations, which have not yet been proven, that the new varieties of gonorrhoea bacteria may be more contagious than the usual types and/or that they cause fewer symptoms," she says.

The study was made in collaboration with the departments of clinical microbiology in Denmark and has just been published in the scientific journal Eurosurveillance.