GONORRHEA IN ABERDEEN - A SEROVAR ANALYSIS

The serotyping of gonococcal isolates has enabled detailed studies of the epidemiology of gonorrhoea in different geographical areas. This s tudy reports the patterns of infection found in 1992 in Aberdeen and r elates these to a variety of clinical parameters. 140 cases of gonorrh oea were isolated the majority of which belonged to one strain (lA-2) in contrast to the diversity of strains seen in other Scottish cities. Most isolates were highly sensitive to penicillin and only 3 penicill inase producing strains were found. A low rate of infections in homose xual men is reported again in contrast to the situation seen in other geographically close cities. Compared to the rest of Scotland Aberdeen has a high prevalence of gonorrhoea.