Hy. Chenia et al., ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERNS AND PLASMID PROFILES OF PENICILLINASE-PRODUCING NEISSERIA-GONORRHOEAE STRAINS IN DURBAN, SOUTH-AFRICA, 1990-1993, Sexually transmitted diseases, 24(1), 1997, pp. 18-22
Background and Objectives: The appearance of strains of Neisseria gono
rrhoeae resistant, both chromosomally and plasmid-mediated, to penicil
lin and other antibiotics makes this versatile pathogen difficult to t
reat, There is, therefore, a need for surveillance of N. gonorrhoeae s
trains to determine the efficacy of current therapeutic measures, Goal
s: To survey the antibiotic susceptibilities and plasmid profiles of p
enicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae strains isolated over a 4-year p
eriod, Study Design: Penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae strains we
re detected by the chromogenic cephalosporin test, Minimum inhibitory
concentrations to penicillin G, tetracycline, ceftriaxone, and ciprofl
oxacin were determined using the E-test. Plasmid DNA was obtained by t
he alkaline lysis method and profiles generated, Results: Penicillinas
e-producing N. gonorrhoeae strains increased from 16.4% to 19.0% in th
e period from 1990 through 1993, Although all strains were resistant t
o penicillin, strains were susceptible to varying levels of ciprofloxa
cin, ceftriaxone, and even tetracycline, All penicillinase-producing N
. gonorrhoeae strains possessed, the 2.6-megadalton cryptic plasmid, a
nd in addition 87.7% contained the 24.5-megadalton conjugative plasmid
, Of the six known gonococcal beta-lactamase plasmids, the 4.4-megadal
ton Asian and 3.2-megadalton African plasmids were predominant, The mo
st prevalent plasmid profile contained the 2.6-megadalton cryptic, 24.
5-megadalton conjugative, and 4.4-megadalton Asian plasmids, Conclusio
ns: To ensure effective treatment of gonorrhea, continued surveillance
of the antimicrobial susceptibilities and plasmid profiles of penicil
linase-producing N. gonorrhoeae strains is necessary.