Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been part of human life since ancient times, and their symptoms affect quality of life, and sequelae are common. Socioeconomic and behavioural trends affect the prevalence of STIs, but the discovery of antimicrobials gave hope for treatment, control of the spread of infection and lower rates of sequelae. This has to some extent been achieved, but increasing antimicrobial resistance and increasing transmission in high-risk sexual networks threaten this progress. For Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the only remaining first-line treatment (with ceftriaxone) is at risk of becoming ineffective, and for Mycoplasma genitalium, for which fewer alternative antimicrobial classes are available, incurable infections have already been reported. For Chlamydia trachomatis, in vitro resistance to first-line tetracyclines and macrolides has never been confirmed despite decades of treatment of this highly prevalent STI. Similarly, Treponema pallidum, the cause of syphilis, has remained susceptible to first-line penicillin.

性传播感染（STI）自古以来就是人类生活的一部分，其症状影响生活质量，后遗症也很常见。社会经济和行为趋势影响性传播感染的患病率，但抗菌药物的发现为治疗、控制感染传播和降低后遗症率带来了希望。这在一定程度上已经实现，但抗菌素耐药性的增加和高危性网络传播的增加威胁着这一进展。对于淋病奈瑟菌，唯一剩下的一线治疗（头孢曲松）有变得无效的风险，而对于生殖支原体，可用的替代抗菌药物种类较少，已经有无法治愈的感染报告。对于沙眼衣原体，尽管对这种高度流行的性传播感染进行了数十年的治疗，但其对一线四环素和大环内酯类药物的体外耐药性从未得到证实。同样，导致梅毒的梅毒螺旋体仍然对一线青霉素敏感。