MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract: Gonorrhea, an STI caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is one of the most common infections where antibiotic resistance occurrence is rising to a level of emergency. One possible explanation for gonococcal resistance is their ability to form biofilms during infection. Biofilm may be contributing to the resistance due to the protection of bacteria by the biofilm under antibiotic treatment. This hypothesis was tested using a minimal aggregation assay using two antibiotics, ceftriaxone and azithromycin. These two antibiotics are the only effective treatments still available for gonorrhea, although resistant strains may be developing. The few trials that have been conducted have shown an increased survival rate under both antibiotic treatments of N. gonorrhoeae that were able to form biofilms before the antibiotics were introduced. Further trials need to be conducted to conclude the contribution of biofilms to gonococcal survival.

Reader’s Profile: I imagine a reader skeptical of my hypothesis, data collection, and results analysis, much like a journal review committee.

Reader’s Response: I think more trials are needed to support the hypothesis. The data are inconclusive and should not be presented until more trials have been conducted. I also think that the methods should be adjusted so that it is evident that the biofilm has formed, which could be done using microscopy to image the bacteria.

Revised Thesis: Gonorrhea, an STI caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is one of the most common infections where antibiotic resistance occurrence is rising to a level of emergency. The biomedical community has increased research into the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance as well as ways to work around the problem. One possible explanation for gonococcal resistance is their ability to form biofilms during infection. Biofilm may be contributing to the resistance due to the protection of bacteria by the biofilm under antibiotic treatment.

Voice: I will use third-person, professional voice.

Citation: I will use a formal citation with the format of in-text citations as (Author, Date).

Good plan. By the way, look briefly in the literature to see if bacteriophage therapy might work on these biofilms. May have been used in Russia before the 1960s.