(P131) COLORADO SURRG JOINT RESPONSE TO SUSPECTED GONORRHEA TREATMENT FAILURES, 2023

Background:
The Colorado Strengthening the United States Response to Gonorrhea (SURRG) project hosts the Colorado Center for Excellence for Gonorrhea, a virtual resource platform for healthcare providers (HCPs) and local public health agencies (LPHAs), that provides resources for managing difficult to treat gonorrhea (GC) . This service is a collaboration between the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Denver Health (DH).

Methods:
Colorado SURRG directs HCPs and LPHAs  to report suspected GC treatment failures to the National Network of Prevention Training Center’s (NNPTC) STD Clinical Consultation Network (STDCCN) which is supported by DH’s Denver Prevention Training Center or to the CDPHE disease reporting channel. Reports requiring clinical consultation are forwarded to the SURRG Medical Director. Simultaneously, a disease intervention specialist (DIS) interviews the patient and provides partner services. When indicated, the provider is instructed to collect GC nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and/or cultures. Specimens are transported via CDPHE’s state-wide courier network or via FedEx to the DH laboratory for processing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Consultation is extended until the patient’s test of cure (TOC) is obtained and negative.

Results:
In 2023, Colorado SURRG responded to 3 suspected treatment failure reports. The average time to respond for clinical consultation was 1 day (range 0-3). Patient interview and sexual history were obtained on 3 (100%) with 2 (40%) determined to be likely reinfection. Both GC NAAT and culture were obtained on 3 (100%) with 1 GC NAAT positive, and 1 GC culture positive. TOC was performed on 3 (100%). The average time to case closure was 13 days (range 7-23) and varied by patient availability for clinical evaluations.

Conclusion:
By leveraging the STD CCN, state-wide resources and local expertise in antibiotic resistant GC (ARGC), Colorado SURRG provides timely and efficient response for difficult to treat GC infections as part of ARGC surveillance.