Abstract:

【ABSTRACT】 Objective To investigate the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of penicillinase (β-lactamase) -producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) in Guangzhou. Methods： A total of 934 clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were consecutively collected from outpatients with gonorrhoea attending STD clinics from 2000 to 2008. PPNG were detected by paper acidometric method. A multi-PCR was used to distinguish subtypes of TEM- 1 gene of β–lactamase plasmids of PPNG. Results: Out of 934 Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates examined, 230 (24.6%) strains were PPNG. The prevalence of PPNG increased year by year, from 17.1% to 42.1% (χ2=10.8, P>0.01) in 2000-8. Subtyping TEM-1 gene of β-lactamase plasmids of PPNG showed that 229 (99.6%) PPNGs carried the Asian-type plasmids but only one African-type plasmid was found in 2008. No isolates with Toronto/Rio-type plasmids were detected. Conclusion: The prevalence of PPNG increased year by year. The Asian-type β–lactamase plasmids in PPNG were dominated, while African-type plasmid was sporadic in Guangzhou.

Key words: TEM- 1