Scientists identify antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea

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International researchers have identified a strain of gonorrhoea that is resistant to treatment with antibiotics.

The common bacterial infection, often called the "clap," has until now been easily treatable with antibiotics but if left alone can cause infertility in women and painful urination and a pus-oozing infection in men.

"This is both an alarming and a predictable discovery," said Magnus Unemo of the Swedish Reference Laboratory for Pathogenic Neisseria.

Scientists are unclear how widespread the resistant strain may be, but concerns are mounting that it could spread quickly.

Unemo added: "The history of newly emergent resistance in the bacterium suggests that it may spread rapidly unless new drugs and effective treatment programmes are developed."