The dominance of a multiresistant strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae among prostitutes and STD patients in The Gambia

Genitourin Med. 1992 Dec;68(6):356-60. doi: 10.1136/sti.68.6.356.

Abstract

Objective: To study the epidemiology of antibiotic resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from sexually transmitted disease clinics in The Gambia.

Materials and methods: One hundred and sixty five strains of N gonorrhoeae were tested for their antibiotic susceptibility, auxotype, serotype, and plasmid content.

Results: Of the total population 84 (51%) were non-penicillinase producing (nonPPNG) and 81 (49%) penicillinase-producing N gonorrhoeae (PPNG). There were 16 serovars, five auxotypes and 33 auxotype/serovar (A/S) classes in the total population and the nonPPNG. Among PPNG only five serovars, two auxotypes and nine A/S classes were found. One A/S class predominated, NR/IB-7 (86 isolates), of which 66 (77%) were PPNG and the remainder were chromosomally-mediated resistant N gonorrhoeae (CMRNG). These strains also showed reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and tetracycline and were evenly distributed among patient groups.

Conclusion: We have identified a relatively homogeneous gonococcal population with a core group of isolates exhibiting high levels of antibiotic resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Female
  • Gambia / epidemiology
  • Gonorrhea / drug therapy
  • Gonorrhea / epidemiology
  • Gonorrhea / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / drug effects*
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / isolation & purification
  • Serotyping
  • Sex Work*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / epidemiology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / microbiology*