Annual report of the Australian Gonococcal Surveillance Programme 1996

In 1996 the Australian Gonococcal Surveillance Programme (AGSP) examined 2,753 isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The source of isolates, site of infection and antibiotic susceptibility patterns showed considerable regional variation. Strains examined in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne were predominantly from male patients where rectal and pharyngeal isolates were common. Cases in other centres had a much lower male:female ratio and most were genital tract isolates. Resistance to the penicillin and quinolone groups of antibiotics was highest in Sydney and Melbourne. Gonococcal resistance to the penicillins was similar to previous years. Quinolone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (QRNG) were isolated mostly from overseas travellers. However, some local transmission of QRNG was documented in Sydney. All isolates were sensitive to spectinomycin and ceftriaxone.