The British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit (BOSU) is set to launch the first UK-wide epidemiological survey on adult gonococcal conjunctivitis at the start of 2025.
The new project, Adult gonococcal eye infection: a study of the incidence, clinical features, management, complications and antimicrobial resistance in the United Kingdom, aims to define the incidence of adult gonococcal eye infection in the UK, which is currently unknown. It will monitor the changing epidemiology, inform diagnostic strategies and treatment guidelines, aid investigation into cases of treatment failure and guide appropriate public health response.
Once the study is complete, the results will be available to ophthalmologists globally, and should help inform appropriate prioritisation of gonococcal eye infection as a public health concern.
Research questions:
(i) incidence of GC/GKC in the United Kingdom
(ii) demographics of patients affected for example, age, sex, location
(iii) common clinical features
(iv) incidence of clinical complications such as perforation
(v) incidence of ceftriaxone resistant disease
(vi) current management strategies and outcomes.
Case definition
Patients with a laboratory confirmed (NAAT or Culture) gonococcal conjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis in patients who are aged 16 years or over.
Exclude patients who decline diagnostic swab or appropriate corneal or conjunctival sample(s) not obtained for any reason or are under 16 years of age.