1993～ 1998年中国十城市分离的淋球菌对抗生素的敏感性监测

目的 研究我国1993－1998年分离的淋球菌对青霉素、四环素、环丙沙星、大观霉素和头孢曲松的敏感性,作为制定治疗方案和防治对策的参考依据。方法 测定菌株对抗生素的敏感性用琼脂稀释法,测定产霉素酶淋球菌菌株用纸片酸度法。结果 6年来,共检测了3186株淋球菌对抗生素的敏感性。发现青霉素的耐药菌百分率为66．70％,产青霉素酶淋球菌菌株占8．14％;对四环素的耐药菌株占93．02％,高度耐药的四环素耐药淋球菌菌株占4．65％。结论 我国近6年分离的淋球菌对青霉素、四环素和环丙沙星耐经菌百分率较高,对大观霉素和头孢曲松仍较敏感。     

淋球菌耐药监测15年

目的:了解我国1987～2001年淋病流行中的淋球菌对抗生素的敏感性,为修改淋病治疗方案和制订防治策略提供依据.方法:用琼脂稀释法检测淋球菌对WHO规定的5种核心抗生素的敏感性,用纸片酸度法测定淋球菌产青霉素酶(PPNG)菌株.结果:15年来用琼脂稀释法共检测了7583株菌,青霉素耐药株5399株,占71.20%;PPNG株占17.71%(1056/5964).四环素的耐药株占92.61%(1090/1177);由质粒介导的高度耐四环素淋球茵茵株(TRNG)占14.03%(811/5779).对环丙沙星的耐药性迅速增高,占61.12%(3311/5417).对大观霉素和头孢曲松的耐药菌百分率较低,分别为0.41%(26/6342)和0.39%(23/5853).对南京地区1993～1995年和1999～2001年大观霉素和头孢曲松对淋球菌的MIC50作了比较,结果显示MIC50值并无明显变化.结论:我国近15年流行的淋球菌对青霉素、四环素和环丙沙星的耐药性相当高,而对大观霉素和头孢曲松仍较敏感.为了防止淋球菌耐药菌株的进一步传播应强调对淋病病人进行范围治疗.     

威海地区抗淋球菌药物敏感性研究

目的:研究威海地区淋病奈瑟菌(简称淋球菌)对抗菌药物的敏感性。方法:用淋球菌快速定量检测法,检测82株淋球菌对15种抗菌药物的体外药物敏感度,同时应用纸片扩散法(Kirby-Bauer法)进行对照。结果:82株淋球菌中检出11株PPNG菌株(13.41%)。耐青霉素的淋球菌耐药性已达62.2%。用纸片法测得四环素、青霉素和红霉素的耐药率分别为58.5%、52.4%和92.1%。1.2%的菌株耐大观霉素(MIC≥64μg/mL),但所有菌株均对头孢曲松敏感。对环丙沙星的耐药率为74.4%(MIC≥1μg/mL),对头孢噻甲羧肟及头孢呋肟的耐药率均为11.0%(MIC≥32μg/mL)。结论:头孢曲松及大观霉素对淋球菌抗菌活性最强,可作为首选药。     

广东省江门地区淋球菌分离株抗生素耐药性及其质粒图谱结果分析

目的:了解江门地区淋球菌对抗生素耐药性及其质粒图谱.方法:采用纸片酸度法检测产β-内酰胺酶菌株(PPNG).采用wHO推荐琼脂稀释法测定5种抗生素(青霉素、四环素、环丙沙星、头孢三嗪、壮观霉素)对菌株药物敏感性试验.用碱裂解法分析菌株的质粒图谱.结果:检测87株菌耐药性和105株菌质粒图谱,PPNG为4.6%,质粒介导的高度耐四环素菌株(TRNG)2.3%,青霉素耐药41.4%、环丙沙星耐药率62.1%;壮观霉素敏感100%,头孢三嗪敏感98.9%.质粒菌株谱检出率83%,其中以2.6 MD,4.5 24.5 MD和2.6 4.5 24.5 MD谱型为主,分别为19%,33.3%和15.2%.结论:明确了江门地区流行菌株耐药情况及其质粒图谱,有助于临床对淋病的防治.     

淋球菌对抗生素的敏感性测定

作者于1986年3月从深圳市急性尿道炎病人中分离到数株淋球菌,随意取其中一株,用广州白云山制药厂出品的药物敏感试验干燥纸片测定了其对抗生素的敏感性,证实此株菌对青霉素G,羧苄青霉素、氨苄青霉素、链霉素、卡那霉素、先锋霉素Ⅰ、Ⅵ和新青霉素Ⅱ皆为耐药,对麦迪霉素为中度敏感;而对红霉素、庆大霉素、氯霉素、先锋霉素V和痢特灵敏感.本文对淋球菌分离和培养的条件及耐青霉素淋球菌的流行趋势进行了讨论.     

淋球菌营养型与耐药性及质粒的关系

目的 为了解淋球菌的营养型、耐药性及质粒之间的关系.方法 对重庆市收集的83株淋球菌进行营养型、抗生素敏感性和质粒检测.结果 83株菌共分为8个营养型,以Pro-型(51-8%)和Proto型(18-1%)为主.利用琼脂稀释法检测菌株对青霉素、四环素和壮观霉素的敏感性.青霉素耐药株占15.6%,四环素耐药株占70%,壮观霉素耐药株占1-2%.通过快速碱裂解法对其中的44株菌进行质粒检测,70%菌株含24-5Md质粒,80%含2.6Md质粒,66%同时含24-5Md和2.6Md质粒,16%未查到质粒.并发现Pro^-型菌株中青霉素耐药株高于其它营养型(P<0.05),且含24-5Md质粒菌也显著高于其它营养型(P<0.05).含24-5Md+2.6Md质粒菌株中四环素耐药株更常见(P<0.05).检测到1株产青霉素酶淋球菌(PPNG),经质粒消除试验证实其耐药性由4-4Md质粒介导.结论 本研究不仅表明了重庆地区淋球菌营养型、耐药性及质粒的分布状况,而且揭示了它们之间存在一定关系.这将对该地区淋球菌的流行病学调查和淋病防治提供帮助.     

淋球菌对抗生素耐药性研究

目的:研究广州地区2001年度分离的淋球菌对青霉素、四环素、壮观霉素、头孢曲松和环丙沙星的耐药性。分析耐药菌株的流行特点。方法:采用琼脂稀释法测定菌株对5种抗生素的最小抑菌浓度(MIC),判断敏感性按WHO西太区淋球菌耐药性监测统一标准。用纸片酸度法检测产青霉素酶淋球菌(PPNG)菌株。结果:153株淋球菌中检出127株对青霉素耐药(83.0％),产青霉素酶淋球菌(PPNG)占17.0％(26/153);四环素耐药129株(84.3％);其中质粒介导高度耐四环素淋球菌菌株(TRNG)占总数的24.1％(37/153);环丙沙星耐药117株(76.5％),其中92株同时对青霉素和四环素有耐药性,三重耐药占60.1％;壮观霉素和头孢曲松敏感性最高,分别为100.0％和81.0％。结论:淋球菌对青霉素、四环素和环丙沙星耐药率较高;壮观霉素和头孢曲松敏感,应作为临床的首选药物。     

贵阳市淋球菌耐药质粒及其与淋病流行的关系

目的：为了了解贵阳市淋球菌耐药质粒的大致范围及淋球菌耐药质粒在细菌间的流向。方法：采用改良的Jo.Annes法对20株淋球菌临床分离株进行质粒提取,测定其分子量的大小;从中筛选出产青霉素酶淋球菌菌株（PPNG）,分别与大肠杆菌和淋球菌青霉素敏感菌株进行接合和转化试验。结果：20株淋球菌临床分离株检出7株PP－NG菌株,淋球菌4.5Md质粒的携带为40％,3.7Md质粒的携带率为25％。3株带有24.5Md质粒的PPNG菌株,其耐药（R）质粒均可通过接合而传递给大肠杆菌和淋球菌敏感菌株;2株PPNG菌株可通过转化将R质粒传递给大肠杆菌和淋球菌敏感菌株。结论：贵阳市流行的淋球菌中有2种耐药质粒存在,以4.5Md质粒为主;PPNG菌株可通过接合和转化的传递方式,将耐药质粒在淋球菌青霉素敏感菌株和大肠杆菌中传递,与淋病的流行有密切的关系。     

2001～2006年福州地区淋球菌耐药监测结果

为研究福州地区2001~2006年分离的淋球菌对青霉素、四环素、环丙沙星、大观霉素和头孢曲松的敏感性,制定治疗方案和防治对策的参考依据,共监测了1206株淋球菌对抗菌药物的敏感性,测定菌株对抗菌药物的敏感性用琼脂稀释法,测定产青霉素酶淋球菌菌株用纸片酸度法。发现产青霉素酶的菌株(PPNG)258株,占21.39%。质粒介导的高度耐四环素菌株(TRNG)260株占21.56%。本地区PPNG菌株及质粒介导的高度耐四环素菌株呈明显上升趋势。环丙沙星耐药1163株占96.43%。淋球菌对大观霉素和头孢曲松仍较敏感。     

2011-2012年海南地区淋球菌耐药性监测及基因分型研究

【摘要】 目的 探讨海南淋球菌耐药状态及耐药基因分型情况。 方法 用琼脂稀释法测定4种抗生素的最低抑菌浓度（MIC）,PCR方法鉴定四环素高度耐药菌株（TRNG）并进行TetM基因分型;用纸片酸度法测定β内酰胺酶（PPNG）,PCR方法鉴定β内酰胺酶质粒并进行TEM-1基因分型。 结果 2011—2012年共检测214株淋球菌,环丙沙星中度敏感率7.94 %（17/214）,耐药率为92.06%（197/214）;头孢曲松敏感率24.30%（52/214）,中度敏感率为75.70%（162/214）;未发现耐大观霉素的菌株。多重耐药情况：对四环素和青霉素耐药的菌株39株（18.22%）,对青霉素和环丙沙星耐药菌株66株（30.84%）,对四环素和环丙沙星耐药的菌株 91株（42.52%）,对四环素、青霉素和环丙沙星耐药的菌株 37株（17.29%）。检出TRNG 101株（47.20%）,TetM基因分型结果99株（98.02%）荷兰型, 2 株（1.98%）美国型。检出PPNG 65株（30.37%）,TEM-1基因分型结果55株（84.62%）亚州型,10株（15.38%）非州型,未见多伦多型、里约型。 结论 海南省淋球菌对大观霉素敏感率高,应作为治疗淋病的首选药物;多重耐药菌株应引起重视。PPNG以亚州型为主,非州型次之;TRNG以荷兰型为主,偶见美国型。     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Cuba (1995-1999): implications for treatment of gonorrhea

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, especially those resistant to penicillin and tetracycline, have spread with remarkable rapidity in many Caribbean countries. GOAL: The goal of the study was to survey the antibiotic susceptibilities of N gonorrhoeae strains isolated from 1995 to 1999 in Cuba and to discuss the impact of antimicrobial resistance on the management of gonorrhea in the country. STUDY DESIGN: Susceptibility of the strains to penicillin, tetracycline, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, spectinomycin, and azithromycin were determined by an agar dilution method. RESULTS: Penicillin and tetracycline resistance was noted in 60.8% and 54.2%, respectively, of the N gonorrhoeae strains tested. A total of 63.35 (76/120) of the N gonorrhoeae strains exhibited plasmid-mediated resistance to penicillin, tetracycline, or both. Strains with chromosomally mediated resistance to these antibiotics accounted for 10% (12/120) of the strains. The strains were susceptible to ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, spectinomycin, and ciprofloxacin. One strain's ciprofloxacin MIC was 0.125 mircog/ml. Of the 52 strains tested, 23.1% displayed intermediate resistance to azithromycin. CONCLUSIONS: N gonorrhoeae strains exhibited a high frequency of resistance and multiresistance to penicillin and tetracycline. Therefore, these antibiotics should no longer be used to treat gonococcal infections in Cuba and should be substituted with effective drugs such as third-generation cephalosporins, spectinomycin, and fluoroquinolones. The detection of intermediate resistance to azithromycin and ciprofloxacin underlines the importance of periodic surveillance for susceptibility of N gonorrhoeae strains to antimicrobials agents used as primary therapy for gonorrhea.     

In vitro susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to cefuroxime, penicillin, and tetracycline in Denmark-1979

In vitro susceptibility to cefuroxime, penicillin, and tetracycline of 963 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains isolated in Denmark in 1979 was tested. If penicillinase-producing strains of N. gonorrhoeae were excluded from the analysis, a significant positive correlation between the 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of cefuroxime and penicillin was observed (r = 0.87). Among strains exhibiting IC50 of penicillin of greater than or equal to 0.30 microgram/ml, 80% (106/133) had an IC50 of cefuroxime of greater than or equal to 0.088. Ninety-six per cent (106/110) of strains exhibiting an IC50 of cefuroxime of greater than or equal to 0.088 microgram/ml were less susceptible to penicillin (IC50, greater than or equal to 0.30 microgram/ml). The IC50 values of tetracycline were positively correlated with those of cefuroxime. There was no apparent difference between the level of antimicrobial susceptibility of strains (623) isolated from urogenital sites and that of strains (109) from the pharynx.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains isolated in Guangzhou, China, 1996-2001

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility and resistant trends of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains isolated in Guangzhou, from 1996 to 2001. METHODS: The agar dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to four antimicrobials, penicillin G, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and spectinomycin. The resistance of all strains to four antibiotics was interpreted according to criteria used in the project of surveillance of gonococcal antibiotic susceptibility in the WHO Western Pacific Region. Penicillinase producing N gonorrhoeae (PPNG) was analysed by the paper acidometric method. RESULTS: 793 consecutive N gonorrhoeae isolates collected in Guangzhou were studied from 1996 to 2001. A total of 55 strains of PPNG were identified and the prevalence rapidly spread from 2% to 21.8%. Of the four antibiotics examined, ceftriaxone and spectinomycin appeared to be the most effective agents although two spectinomycin resistant strains were isolated in 1996. Their MIC(50), MIC(90), and geometric mean MIC (MICmean) were all between the sensitive ranges of the interpretative criteria and remained stable over the years. However, resistance increased continuously to penicillin G and dramatically to ciprofloxacin. In 1996-2001, MIC(50), MIC(90), and MICmean of penicillin G increased from 1 micro g/ml to 2 micro g/ml, 4 micro g/ml to 32 micro g/ml, and 0.68 micro g/ml to 2.35 micro g/ml, respectively; those of ciprofloxacin steeply increased from 0.12 micro g/ml to 4 micro g/ml, 2 micro g/ml to 32 micro g/ml, and 0.14 micro g/ml to 2.62 micro g/ml in 1996-9, respectively, and then declined slightly in 2000-1. The prevalence of resistant isolates spread from 57.2% to 81.8% for penicillin G and from 17.6% to 72.7% for ciprofloxacin over the 6 years. CONCLUSION: Resistance to penicillin and ciprofloxacin increased greatly during 1996-2001. Ceftriaxone and spectinomycin should be used as the first line agents in treating gonorrhoea. It is of great importance to continuously survey the susceptibilities of N gonorrhoeae to antibiotics in controlling the spread of gonococcal infections.     

Analysis of the antibiotic sensitivity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Guangzhou, Peoples Republic of China

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted diseases began to re-emerge in China in the mid 1980s. During the last one and a half decades, Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection has become one of the three most common sexually transmitted diseases in China. At present, resistant strains of N. gonorrhoeae are increasing each year. This study was undertaken to better understand the sensitivity of five antibiotics to N. gonorrhoeae isolates in Guangzhou, China. GOAL: To determine the frequency and diversity of antibiotic resistance, particularly to penicillin and tetracycline, on gonococcal strains in Guangzhou. STUDY DESIGN: Strains of N. gonorrhoeae isolates from 203 patients with uncomplicated urethral gonococcal infections from Guangzhou, China were reviewed from September 1997 to August 1998. All strains were characterized with five different antimicrobials for sensitivity, including penicillin, tetracycline, spectinomycin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone. RESULTS: Penicillin resistance was present in 121 of 203 isolated strains (59.6%). The plasmid-mediated strains and chromosome-mediated strains among the penicillin-resistant strains that were resistance to penicillin were 5.8% and 94.2%, respectively. Plasmid-mediated strains resistant to penicillin and tetracycline were each 3.4%. Most isolated strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin, accounting for 60.6%. All strains were sensitive to spectinomycin and ceftriaxone. CONCLUSION: N. gonorrhoeae isolates exhibited a high rate of resistance to penicillin and ciprofloxacin. Spectinomycin highly effective for penicillin-producing N. gonorrhoeae, tetracycline-resistant N. gonorrhoeae and the highly resistant strains of ciprofloxacin.     

Penicillin and spectinomycin in treatment of gonococcal urethritis

In view of the recent discovery of penicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Zambia, the efficacies of single intramuscular doses of aqueous procaine penicillin G (4.8 x 10(6) units plus 1 g of oral probenecid) and 2 g of spectinomycin were evaluated in an open clinical trial of the treatment of acute gonococcal urethritis in men. The former regimen was given to 123 men; failure of treatment was observed in 9.1% of the 88 men followed for two weeks. Spectinomycin was given to 124 men; treatment failure occurred in 3.8% of the 104 men followed for two weeks. During the trial, 190 unselected isolates of N. gonorrhoeae were screened by rapid iodometric test, and two penicillinase-producing strains were detected. MICs of penicillin and spectinomycin were determined by the agar dilution method for 110 and 98 isolates, respectively. MICs of penicillin of greater than or equal to 0.125 micrograms/ml were observed with 78.2% of the strains, while 83.7% had MICs of spectinomycin of less than or equal to 15.0 micrograms/ml. It was suggested that penicillin be given routinely for treatment of gonorrhea in Zambia and that spectinomycin be reserved for treatment of gonococcal infections not cured by penicillin.     

Surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibilities in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Nanjing, China, 1999-2006

OBJECTIVE: To monitor the frequency and types of antibiotic resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Nanjing, China, between 1999 and 2006. METHODS: beta-Lactamase production was determined by paper acidometric testing. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to penicillin, ceftriaxone, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and spectinomycin were determined by agar plate dilution. Plasmid types were determined for TRNG and PPNG isolates by PCR. RESULTS: One-thousand two-hundred and eight N. gonorrhoeae isolates were examined. The rate of PPNG rose from 8.0% (9 of 112) in 1999 to 57.36% (113 of 197) in 2004, and declined to 44.44% (88 of 198) in 2006. Prevalence of TRNG increased from 1.8% (2 of 112) in 1999 to 32.82% (65 of 198) in 2006. 99.23% (258 of 260) of TRNG contained the Dutch-type tetM gene and 2 strains contained the American-type tetM gene. All PPNG examined contained the Asian type plasmid. Among non-PPNG, chromosomally mediated resistance to penicillin varied from 57.84% (59 of 102) to 87.80% (72 of 82). Chromosomal resistance to ciprofloxacin (QRNG) was detected in 83.93% (94 of 112) of the strains in 1999 and 98.99% (196 of 198) in 2006. Eight spectinomycin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae strains were detected between 2001 and 2006. None of the gonococcal isolates tested was resistant to ceftriaxone but decreased susceptibility was observed in some strains. CONCLUSIONS: Among N. gonorrhoeae strains isolated in Nanjing, China, plasmid mediated resistance including PPNG and TRNG increased significantly between 1999 and 2006. Chromosomally mediated resistance to both penicillin and ciprofloxacin was also high during this period. Spectinomycin resistance of N. gonorrhoeae was sporadic. Ceftriaxone and spectinomycin can be considered effective antimicrobial agents for the treatment of gonorrhea in Nanjing at the present time.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from a military population in San Diego

Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates were studied to determine their patterns of antimicrobial susceptibility and possible chemotherapeutic implications. Of 370 consecutive isolates, 32 (8.7%) were penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae (PPNG). The remaining 338 were subjected to disk-diffusion tests, and those apparently resistant to penicillin, tetracycline, or spectinomycin were tested by an agar-dilution method. The dilution test showed that 5.4% (20/370) were penicillin-resistant, non-PPNG strains, of which 100%, 90%, and 45% were also resistant to tetracycline, cefoxitin, and erythromycin, respectively. No resistance to spectinomycin or ceftriaxone was demonstrated, although there was an association between minimum inhibitor concentrations (MICs) of penicillin of greater than or equal to 1.0 microgram/ml and increased MICs of ceftriaxone. The overall incidence of penicillin resistant isolates, including PPNG, was 14.1% (52/370). Of the 20 penicillin-resistant, non-PPNG strains, all were also resistant to tetracycline, and another 21 exhibited tetracycline resistance but were sensitive to penicillin. The in-vitro data suggested that: (1) neither penicillin, tetracycline, nor cefoxitin were acceptable drugs for routine treatment of gonorrhea in our population during the study period; (2) spectinomycin and ceftriaxone continue to demonstrate adequate in-vitro activity against N. gonorrhoeae despite increasing in-vitro resistance to penicillin; and (3) non-plasmid-mediated resistance to penicillin may predict future resistance to ceftriaxone.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from three Caribbean countries: Trinidad, Guyana, and St. Vincent

BACKGROUND: The percentage of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates resistant to antimicrobial agents commonly used for treatment is unknown in many Caribbean countries. GOAL: To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of N gonorrhoeae isolates from Trinidad (144 isolates), Guyana (70 isolates), and St. Vincent (68 isolates) so baseline data can be established for further studies, and to assist in establishing effective treatment guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive urethral and endocervical specimens from several clinics were collected and identified as N gonorrhoeae. Isolates of N gonorrhoeae were tested for their susceptibility to penicillin, tetracycline, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, spectinomycin, and azithromycin. The presumptive identification of penicillinase-producing N gonorrhoeae and/or tetracycline-resistant N gonorrhoeae isolates based on MIC was confirmed by plasmid and tetM content analysis. RESULTS: High percentages of penicillin and/or tetracycline resistance were observed in N gonorrhoeae isolates from Guyana (92.9%), St. Vincent (44.1%), and Trinidad (42.4%). Isolates from all three countries were susceptible to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and spectinomycin. One penicillinase-producing N gonorrhoeae/tetracycline-resistant N gonorrhoeae from Guyana had an MIC of 0.5 microg/l to ciprofloxacin. This and nine other isolates from Guyana also were resistant to azithromycin (defined as MIC > or = 2.0 microg/ml) as well as penicillin and tetracycline. A reduced susceptibility to azithromycin was displayed by 16% of the isolates from St. Vincent and 72% of the isolates from Guyana (MIC, 0.25-1.0 microg/ml). Most penicillinase-producing N gonorrhoeae isolates carried Africa-type plasmids (61/90), with 28 of 90 having Toronto-type plasmids and a single isolate carrying an Asia-type plasmid. The tetM determinant in tetracycline-resistant N gonorrhoeae isolates was predominantly of the Dutch type (68/91). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of N gonorrhoeae isolates from 3 of 21 English- and Dutch-speaking Caricom countries in the Caribbean with either plasmid-mediated or chromosomal resistance to penicillin and tetracycline supports international observations that these drugs should not be used to treat gonococcal infections. The detection of isolates with reduced susceptibility to drugs such as azithromycin, which currently are recommended for treatment in the region, attest to the importance of the continued monitoring of gonococcal antimicrobial susceptibility for the maintenance of effective treatment guidelines.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility and biochemical patterns of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in Vejle area, Denmark

Background  Strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae resistant to penicillin and ciprofloxacin have been isolated worldwide. Increasing number of N. gonorrhoeae that lack the enzyme proline aminopeptidase (proA-negative N. gonorrhoeae ) have been detected in many countries all over the world.
Objectives  This study aims to assess the resistance profiles of N. gonorrhoeae isolates sent to the Department of Clinical Microbiology in Vejle, Denmark, between 2003 and 2007, and to analyse their biochemical patterns.
Methods  Sixty-two strains of N. gonorrhoeae were retrospectively analysed for their susceptibility to penicillin, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. The identification of isolated strains was confirmed using both biochemical and immunological tests.
Results  Twenty-one (33.9%) N. gonorrhoeae isolates were resistant to penicillin and 30 (48.4%) were resistant to ciprofloxacin. All strains were susceptible to ceftriaxone. Fifty-six (90.3%) N. gonorrhoeae strains showed API NH biochemical code 10 010 (produced acid from glucose and proline aminopeptidase). Six strains showed code 10 000 that lack the enzyme proline aminopeptidase (proA-negative N. gonorrhoeae ).
Conclusions  Ceftriaxone should be used as the first-line treatment of gonorrhoea in Vejle community area, Denmark, both for infections with proA-producing and proA-negative N. gonorrhoeae isolates, which circulate in the region.     

Associations between serotype and susceptibility to antibiotics of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

A serological classification scheme for Neisseria gonorrhoeae was used to investigate the epidemiological associations between gonococcal serotype and other bacterial and host characters. Six hundred and fifty clinical isolates of non-penicillinase producing N gonorrhoeae from the Praed Street Clinic, St Mary's Hospital, were included in this study. The strains collected represented 41 serovars, although 485 (75%) of the 650 strains belonged to five serovars. Strains of serovar IA-1/2 were commonly isolated from the cervix and tended to be sensitive to penicillin and moderately resistant to erythromycin. Strains of serovar IB-1 showed bimodal patterns of susceptibility to both penicillin and erythromycin and were obtained equally from all anatomical sites. Strains of serovar IB-2 were isolated more often from the rectum and were associated with homosexually acquired infections, whereas those of serovar IB-3 were sensitive to erythromycin and were rarely isolated from the rectum. Strains of IB-5/7 were more resistant to penicillin and erythromycin than strains of other serovars. The serological classification of N gonorrhoeae is thus a powerful tool that may be used to study biological characteristics of the gonococcus, such as susceptibility to antimicrobials and site tropism.