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PPNG at St Thomas' Hospital--a changing provenance
1Department of Genitourinary Medicine, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
International Journal of STD & AIDS
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) cases in the UK shifted from Africa and SE Asia to the Caribbean. Predicting PPNG cases is possible by considering infections acquired abroad or from specific family origins.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) poses a significant public health challenge.
- Surveillance of PPNG is crucial for understanding transmission dynamics and guiding treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the changing geographical sources of PPNG cases in the UK between 1986 and 1992.
- To assess the potential for predicting PPNG cases based on travel history and family origins.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of PPNG case notifications in a central London clinic.
- Tracking geographical provenance and family origins of infected individuals.
Main Results:
- Between 1986-1992, 15% of UK PPNG cases were reported at the study clinic.
- The Caribbean emerged as the predominant source of imported PPNG by 1992 (21.4%).
- An estimated 60% of PPNG cases could have been predicted by considering infections acquired abroad or from African/SE Asian family origins.
Conclusions:
- The geographical origin of PPNG in the UK has significantly shifted towards the Caribbean.
- Predictive models incorporating travel and origin data can improve PPNG surveillance.
- There is limited evidence of PPNG becoming endemic within the UK.