Markers of Neisseria gonorrhoeae for epidemiological studies

Numerous attempts have been made to subclassify Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The properties of these various systems are reviewed. Classification based on the nutritional requirements, i.e. auxotyping, or on the reactivity against epitopes on protein I, the major outer membrane protein, i.e. serovar determination, are the most widely used systems. With the aid of these two classification systems, gonococcal infection can be viewed as a number of microepidemics each with its own dynamics. The tools now exist for a better understanding of gonococcal epidemiology. In many settings it is now feasible to amplify the decreasing prevalence of gonococcal infection by programs aimed at eradication of endemic gonorrhoea.