Antimicrobial resistance data for Neisseria gonorrhoeae is globally sparse and resistant strains are emerging in Catalonia. We aim to describe epidemiological and antimicrobial resistance in all patients infected with N. gonorrhoeae during the period from 2016 to 2019, using available antimicrobial susceptibility data. We retrospectively analysed confirmed N. gonorrhoeae cases notified to Catalonia’s microbiological reporting system. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (azithromycin, cefixime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, penicillin, spectinomycin, and tetracycline) was assessed using clinical breakpoints published by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. Incidence rates were calculated and proportions were compared using the χ² test or Fisher’s exact test, and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 18.0). A total of 14,251 confirmed cases of N. gonorrhoeae were notified. Incidence increased from 30.7 cases/100,000 person-years (p < 0.001) in 2016 to 64.7 in 2019. Culture was available in 6,292 isolates (44.2%), of which 5,377 (85.5%) were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics tested. Azithromycin resistance rose from 6.1% in 2016 to 16% in 2019 (p < 0.001). Only 1.0% (45 cases) were resistant to ceftriaxone. Multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae increased from 0.25% in 2016 to 0.42% in 2019 (p = 0.521). One case presented extensively drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. In Catalonia, 10% of the N. gonorrhoeae isolates were resistant to azithromycin in the 2016–2019 period. According to World Health Organization guidelines, resistance above 5% indicates an alert to review treatment guidelines. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing in clinical practice followed by surveillance and interventions are essential to monitor trends and prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Background: Guidance on SARS-CoV-2 contact tracing indicators have been recently revised by international public health agencies. The aim of the study is to describe and analyse contact tracing indicators based on Catalonia’s (Spain) real data and proposing to update them according to recommendations. Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis including Catalonia’s contact tracing dataset from 20 May until 31 December 2020. Descriptive statistics are performed including sociodemographic stratification by age, and differences are assessed over the study period. Results: We analysed 923,072 contacts from 301,522 SARS-CoV-2 cases with identified contacts (67.1% contact tracing coverage). The average number of contacts per case was 4.6 (median 3, range 1–243). A total of 403,377 contacts accepted follow-up through three phone calls over a 14-day quarantine period (84.5% of contacts requiring follow-up). The percentage of new cases declared as contacts 14 days prior to diagnosis evolved from 33.9% in May to 57.9% in November. All indicators significantly improved towards the target over time (p < 0.05 for all four indicators). Conclusions: Catalonia’s SARS-CoV-2 contact tracing indicators improved over time despite challenging context. The critical revision of the indicator’s framework aims to provide essential information in control policies, new indicators proposed will improve system delay’s follow-up. The study provides information on COVID-19 indicators framework experience from country’s real data, allowing to improve monitoring tools in 2021–2022. With the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic being so harmful to health systems and globally, is important to analyse and share contact tracing data with the scientific community.

Contact tracing outcome indicators, such as symptom development (SD) and secondary attack rate (SAR) among close contacts (CCs), are key to understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission. This study analyses SD and SAR and estimates the incubation period (IP) from a cohort of 47,729 CCs from 17,679 SARS-CoV-2 cases diagnosed in Catalonia (Spain) from May to August 2020. Globally, 19.4% of the CCs reported symptoms, especially adult women living in urban areas. SAR was 24.5%, notably higher among infants (37.6%), and 45.9% of secondary cases (SCs) were asymptomatic. Household CCs had 98% (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.81–2.18) and 138% (2.38, 2.19–2.58) increased risk of SD and becoming SCs compared to social settings. The IP was 3.42 days, being 4.10 days among social CCs, and only 15.4% and 4.8% of SCs developed symptoms after days 7 and 10 of quarantine, respectively. These results, notably the higher SAR among asymptomatic children, highlight the importance of diligent monitoring to inform SARS-CoV-2 control strategies.

Background: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) remains a major cause of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Europe. Increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens treatments’ effectiveness and complicates control efforts. Continuous regional surveillance is essential to detect emerging trends and inform public health action. Aim: To describe NG epidemiology and AMR trends in Catalonia during 2022–2023, and identify associated resistance risk factors. Methods: Retrospective analysis of laboratory-confirmed NG cases reported to the Microbiological Reporting System of Catalonia and the STI Registry. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed for seven antibiotics. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were used to assess associations between AMR and demographic and clinical variables, including age, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) and anatomical site of infection. Results: 23,968 NG cases were reported, representing an 18.9% increase in incidence from 2022 to 2023. Culture was performed in 5,158 cases, AST results were available for 4,709 isolates. Resistance was highest for ciprofloxacin (71.4%) and tetracycline (48.9%), followed by azithromycin (20.3%) and penicillin (10.2%). Cefixime and ceftriaxone resistance was negligible. Azithromycin resistance was independently associated with homosexual orientation (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.08) and anal infection (aOR: 1.41). Age ≥ 25 years was associated with resistance to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and penicillin. Conclusions: High NG incidence and substantial resistance to older antibiotics, together with notable azithromycin resistance, underscore the need for sustained AMR surveillance, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM) and in anal infections. Strengthening culture-based AMR surveillance, extragenital screening and targeted prevention strategies are essential to preserve effective treatment options.