HPSC publishes latest report on antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhoea in Ireland
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has published its latest surveillance report on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium that causes gonorrhoea.
Antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhoea is recognised internationally as a significant public health concern. Resistance can reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat the infection, making ongoing surveillance essential to ensure recommended treatments remain effective. Ireland operates a dedicated surveillance system for gonococcal antimicrobial resistance, coordinated through the National Gonococcal Reference Laboratory and linked to European monitoring programmes.
The report outlines trends in antimicrobial susceptibility among gonorrhoea isolates tested in Ireland and contributes to a broader understanding of resistance patterns at both national and European levels. Surveillance data are used to inform clinical treatment guidelines, support public health action, and identify any emerging resistance concerns as early as possible.
Surveillance Findings
- Reduced susceptibility to azithromycin remained broadly stable in 2025, identified in 26% of isolates compared with 28% in 2024.
- Resistance to several older antibiotics increased in 2025. Tetracycline resistance rose from 49% to 60% of isolates, while ciprofloxacin resistance increased from 54% to 69%.
- β-lactamase production, a marker of penicillin resistance, increased from 25% of isolates in 2024 to 35% in 2025.
- These findings reinforce why older antibiotics are no longer routinely recommended for the treatment of gonorrhoea and underscore the importance of continued antimicrobial resistance monitoring.
Monitoring antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhoea is a vital component of Ireland's public health surveillance system. The data collected help ensure that treatment recommendations remain effective and support early detection of any emerging resistance trends. Continued surveillance, laboratory testing, and collaboration with clinical services remain essential to protecting public health.
Ireland contributes data annually to the European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (Euro-GASP), allowing comparison of national trends with those observed across Europe and supporting coordinated international responses to antimicrobial resistance.
Further information for the public
STI Testing options
Testing is free and available by home testing or visiting a public sexual health service:
- National HSE free home STI testing service: The HSE free home STI testing service is available to anyone aged 17 or older. To use the service, order a test kit at HSE-sexual health services, return your samples to the laboratory by post, and you will receive your test results by text message or phone call.
- Public Sexual Health Services: All STI testing and treatment in public sexual health services is provided free of charge. A list of public sexual health services is available at HSE-sexual health services
Resources and supports
The HSE has a range of free supports, promoted through the HSE-sexual health services and Man2Man campaign, such as:
- Free condoms: Condoms are the most effective method of preventing most STIs. Condoms and lubricant are available free and can be accessed by anyone from the age of 17 years through postal services or community venues. Further information on how to access free condoms is available at HSE-sexual health services
- Resources for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) are available at man2man.ie