Abstract:

Objective To monitor the antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, determine the prevalence of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae （PPNG） and plasmid-mediated tetracycline-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae （TRNG） in Xi′an region, and to analyse the trends in antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Methods In total, 647 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were isolated from patients with gonorrhea in sexually transmitted disease （STD） clinic settings from 2002 to 2009. Agar dilution method was used to detect TRNG and determine the minimal inhibitory concentration （MIC） of antibiotics, and paper acidometric method to detect PPNG. Results Of these 647 strains, 216 （33.4%） were TRNG, 290 （44.8%） were PPNG. The prevalence of TRNG strains remained between 28.3% and 49.2% in 2002—2009, except for 17.3% in 2005; the prevalence of PPNG strains increased from 37.1% in 2002 to 64% in 2005, but declined from 2006 to 2009 （32.3%）. The prevalence of resistance to spectinomycin maintained at a low level （0 to 2.8%） over these years, while that to ciprofloxacin remained higher than 80% from 2002 to 2009, and accounted for 100% in 2005, with the exception of 51% in 2006. Ceftriaxone resistance was observed in none of these strains except 4 isolates in 2003, but the susceptibility to ceftriaxone decreased yearly. Conclusions Neisseria gonorrhoeae is highly sensitive to spectinomycin, which should serve as the first treatment choice for gonorrhea. Full dose is necessary for the application of ceftriaxone in the treatment of gonorrhea. Ciprofloxacin should not be used to treat gonorrhea.

Key words: monitor