Penicillinase-producing gonococcal strains in Zambia. Observations on treatment failures.

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Abstract
Penicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) were detected in 9 out of 27 (3.2%) treatment failures in 310 cases of acute gonococcal urethritis in men in Lusaka, Zambia. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of penicillin for 17.2% of 233 gonococcal isolates were .ltoreq. 0.05 .mu.g/ml, for 38.2% between 0.125-0.25 .mu.g/ml and for 46.6% .gtoreq. 0.5 .mu.g/ml. At present the prevalence of PPNG in African countries is not known but is likely to increase rapidly unless simplified control schemes are adopted within the existing primary health care programs. Endemic pockets of PPNG in a few countries can threaten worldwide efforts to control gonorrhea.