[Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in Lisbon 1982-1987]

PPNG strains were first detected in Lisbon in 1982. Most of the 88 PPNG strains isolated since then in our laboratory were obtained from prostitutes. In this population, PPNG prevalence underwent a dramatic increase, rising from 1.1% in 1983 to 8.2% in 1984, 19.2% in 1985, 13.1% in 1986 and 27% in 1987 (ten months). MICs determined by agar dilution in a sample of 45 non-PPNG strains were as follows: 0.063 less than MIC mg/l less than 2 for penicillin, 0.125 less than MIC mg/l less than 1 for ampicillin, 8 less than MIC mg/l less than 32 for spectinomycin, 0.125 less than MIC mg/l less than 2 for tetracycline, and MIC less than 0.063 for cefotaxime. In contrast, MICs among PPNG strains were 4 less than MIC mg/l less than 64 for penicillin, 4 less than MIC mg/l less than 64 for ampicillin, 16 less than MIC mg/l less than 32 for spectinomycin, 0.250 less than MIC mg/l less than 2 for tetracycline, and MIC mg/l less than 0.063 for cefotaxime. Two different inocula were used, ie. 2 X 10 CFU/spot, and 10 CFU/spot. A significant increase in MICs was found with the heavier inoculum, especially for beta-lactam antibiotics. Plasmid analysis of the PPNG strains found 44% type AFR-, 27% type Afr+, 13% type Asia-, and 13% type Asia+; one strain isolated in 1987 was similar to the "RIO" type (The Netherlands, 1985) with 3.05 Mdal. Distribution of auxotypes among studied strains was NR pheni, 44%, NR 14%; prol-, 31%; and other types, 11%.