New vaccine shows efficacy against gonorrhoea

A new vaccine that has demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of the sexually-transmitted infection gonorrhoea for the first time.

Researchers at the University of Auckland have published new data that demonstrates the efficacy of the vaccine, which was originally developed to stop an outbreak of meningitis B, and was given to around one million adolescents in New Zealand between 2004 and 2006.

Data from sexual health clinics found gonorrhoea cases had fallen 31 percent in those vaccinated, as the bacterium that causes meningitis is a close relative of the species that causes gonorrhoea.

This is a potentially important development, as earlier this month the World Health Organization warned that gonorrhoea is becoming an increasing threat due to the emergence of new strains that are resistant to current antibiotics.

Researcher Dr Helen Petousis-Harris said: "This is the first time a vaccine has shown any protection against gonorrhoea. At the moment, the mechanism behind this immune response is unknown, but our findings could inform future vaccine development."

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