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Quantitative Examination of Antibiotic Susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Aggregates Using ATP-utilization Commercial Assays and Live/Dead Staining
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Penicillinase-producing plasmid types in Neisseria gonorrhoeae clinical isolates from Australia

David Whiley1, Ella Trembizki2, Cameron Buckley2

  • 1Queensland Paediatric Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Queensland Children's Health Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia d.whiley@uq.edu.au.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|October 1, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) with the blaTEM-135 gene are a concern for antibiotic resistance. This gene was found to be prevalent in Australian PPNG strains across all major plasmid types.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) pose a significant public health threat.
  • The blaTEM-135 gene in PPNG is a key marker for potential resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins.
  • Understanding the genetic elements driving resistance is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize plasmid types associated with PPNG in Australia.
  • To determine the prevalence and distribution of the blaTEM-135 gene in Australian N. gonorrhoeae clinical isolates.
  • To assess the role of specific plasmid types in the spread of blaTEM-135.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from Australia.
  • Detection and characterization of the blaTEM-135 gene.
  • Plasmid typing of isolates carrying the blaTEM-135 gene.

Main Results:

  • The blaTEM-135 gene was found to be prevalent among Australian PPNG isolates.
  • blaTEM-135 was detected on all three major plasmid types identified in the study.
  • This indicates a widespread dissemination of this resistance gene within the Australian gonococcal population.

Conclusions:

  • The blaTEM-135 gene is a common feature of PPNG in Australia.
  • The presence of blaTEM-135 across major plasmid types highlights the potential for broad dissemination.
  • Continued surveillance is essential to monitor the spread of antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

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