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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Quantitative Examination of Antibiotic Susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Aggregates Using ATP-utilization Commercial Assays and Live/Dead Staining
08:04

Quantitative Examination of Antibiotic Susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Aggregates Using ATP-utilization Commercial Assays and Live/Dead Staining

Published on: February 8, 2019

Changes in penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in London

C A Ison1, C S Easmon

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, Paddington, London.

Journal of Medical Microbiology
|December 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) strains showed plasmid changes between 1978-1987. The dominant 3.2-Mda plasmid PPNG re-emerged after a period with 4.4-Mda plasmids.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a significant cause of sexually transmitted infections.
  • Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) strains pose treatment challenges due to antibiotic resistance.
  • Monitoring gonococcal population dynamics is crucial for public health surveillance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze temporal changes in plasmid content, serotype, and auxotype of PPNG strains.
  • To understand the evolution of PPNG populations in response to antimicrobial pressures.
  • To identify distinct clusters and their prevalence over a decade.

Main Methods:

  • Plasmid content analysis (3.2-Mda, 4.4-Mda, 24.5-Mda plasmids).
  • Serotyping and auxotyping of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates.
  • Longitudinal study of strains collected between 1978 and 1987.

Main Results:

  • A shift from 3.2-Mda to 4.4-Mda plasmids occurred before 1982, lasting until 1985.
  • A concurrent decline in strains carrying the 24.5-Mda conjugal plasmid was observed.
  • The 3.2-Mda plasmid PPNG strains re-emerged in 1986.
  • Eight distinct strain clusters showed varying prevalence over the study period.

Conclusions:

  • PPNG populations exhibit dynamic changes in plasmid profiles over time.
  • These plasmid shifts may reflect adaptation or changing selective pressures.
  • Long-term surveillance is essential for tracking antimicrobial resistance trends in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

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