Annual report of the Australian Gonococcal Surveillance Programme, 1997

The Australian Gonococcal Surveillance Programme (AGSP) examined 2,817 isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the period 1 January to 31 December 1997, a number similar to that reported in 1996. The biggest change in incidence of gonococcal disease occurred in New South Wales and Queensland where a 20% rise in the number of isolates was noted. In the latter case this was due to improved surveillance, but in the former represented a real increase. The sites of infection and antibiotic susceptibility patterns varied considerably between regions reflecting considerable differences between rural and urban gonorrhoea in Australia. Strains examined in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria were predominantly from male patients and rectal and pharyngeal isolates were common. In other centres the male to female ratio was lower and most isolates were from the genital tract. Resistance to the penicillin and quinolone groups of antibiotics were also highest in urban centres, but penicillins remained suitable for use in many parts of rural Australia. Quinolone resistance in gonococci continued to increase. This was particularly so in Sydney where quinolone resistant N. gonorrhoeae (QRNG) accounted for about 15% of all isolates and spread of QRNG was predominantly by local contact. QRNG in other centres continued to be isolated at a lower frequency, mostly from overseas travellers. All isolates remained sensitive to spectinomycin and ceftriaxone.