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in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
A sexually transmitted infection, gonorrhea is increasingly resistant to the drugs usually capable of treating it. Vaccines against meningitis could be a solution to limit this pathology and help protect against it, according to a recent study. For Dr Gérald Kierzek, it is important to remember the rules for preventing this STI, namely wearing a condom.
Cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and particularly gonorrhea, are increasing worldwide. In question, the decline in the effectiveness of drug treatments against the bacteria responsible for the disease and the absence of an approved vaccine to prevent this infection. Worldwide, in 2020, more than 80 million new cases of gonorrhea were thus recorded.
An infection responsible for serious health problems
Caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae, gonorrhea causes pain and purulent discharge from the private parts. It can cause infertility in women, but also facilitate HIV contamination and transmission from mother to child.
Since treatments against this bacterium are less effective, scientists are wondering about the treatment and prevention of this STI for years to come, which could become incurable. Three studies show the interest of a vaccine against meningitis.
Some protection offered by these vaccines
According to the World Health Organization, vaccines against meningitis have shown partial protection that could significantly reduce cases of infection. The 4CMenB vaccine in particular may offer significant protection to young adults and men who have sex with men. This is the population that would be most at risk of infection and this vaccine “could protect them by 40% against gonorrhea“.
Three studies to confirm this protection
Three studies are reported to have investigated this vaccine and its protection against gonorrhea.
40% protection for two doses of vaccine
The first study was led by Dr Winston Abara of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The researchers observed the health records of young people aged 16 to 23 living in New York and Philadelphia to determine their 4CMenB vaccination status and confirmed cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia. Their findings show that a full 4CMenB vaccination – receiving two doses – provided 40% protection against gonorrhea. One dose of vaccine provided 26% protection. According to Dr. Winston Abara, “the results suggest that meningitis vaccines that are only moderately effective in protecting against gonorrhea could have a major impact on the prevention and control of the disease.”. However, the authors recognize the limits, due to the group chosen (young age and urban population only) and potential errors on the vaccination status of the volunteers.
33% protection by the vaccine
The second observational study was led by Professor Helen Marshall, from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, Australia. Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of 4CMenB against gonorrhea as part of a vaccination program for infants, children and adolescents. More than 53,000 adolescents and young adults received the vaccine treatment. Their findings note that the “treatment with two doses of 4CMenB is 33% effective against gonorrhea in adolescents and young adults”. The limitations of this work are mentioned by the researchers, who note a low number of cases of gonorrhea in connection with the small number of cases in this age group.
Over 110,000 cases averted
The third study is a modeling relating both to the profitability of the use of a vaccine against gonorrhea and the impact on the health of the population. Led by Professor Peter White of Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, it analyzes the health and economic effects of using a vaccine to prevent this type of infection. Vaccination based on infection risk could prevent 110,000 cases in England and save £8million over 10 years, scientists say. For Professor Peter White, “With a gonorrhea-specific vaccine likely to take years to develop, a key question for policymakers is whether the 4CMenB meningitis vaccine should be used against gonorrhea infection. Our analysis suggests that giving the vaccine to those most at risk of infection is the most cost-effective way to prevent large numbers of cases.”.
“Do not relax prevention and the wearing of condoms”
Three studies that give food for thought in terms of vaccine efficacy and public health and prevention policy. Asked about the question, Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo also notes in his professional practice an upsurge in sexually transmitted infections. “In these pathologies, the bacteria are generally more resistant and the treatments less effective. It is therefore a good thing to take an interest in vaccines which will make it possible to limit contamination a little, but this development must not be done to the detriment of prevention, namely the wearing of condoms, which remains the only barrier effective against STIs“.