Current profile and management of gonococcal infections: a population-based study in Western France

Abstract Objective To characterize the current profile of gonococcal infections in France, and to describe their management. Patients and method A population-based retrospective study of all gonococcal infections documented by PCR in two French departments (Ile-et-Vilaine, Morbihan), in 2014–2016. Cases were identified through hospital databases and the Renago sentinel network. Results We enrolled 245 patients (96 females, 149 males), with a median age of 25 years [interquartile range, 21–33]. The incidence rate was estimated at 4.54 per 100,000 inhabitants-year. Cases were diagnosed mostly by a general practitioner (n = 122, 49.8%) or a gynecologist (n = 45, 18.4%). The main clinical presentations included urethritis (n = 59), pelvic inflammatory disease (n = 40), cervicitis (n = 12), and anorectitis (n = 11). The main coinfections were Chlamydia trachomatis (n = 40) and HIV (n = 8). Ceftriaxone MIC was ≤ 0.12 mg/L in 146/147 patients with positive culture. Treatment was appropriate in 52/74 (70.2%) patients with available data. Conclusions In France, general practitioners are at the front line in management of gonococcal infections.