Analysis of penicillinase-producingNeisseria gonorrhoeaeisolates in Madrid (Spain) from 1983–85

Abstract
SUMMARY Between April 1983 and December 1985, 576 strains ofNeisseria gonorrhoeaewere isolated in our laboratory from patients attending Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) clinics. Of these, 61 (10·6%) were penicillinase-producing. Studies on these strains by plasmid analysis, auxotyping and serogrouping showed that the predominant type strains harboured the Asian resistance plasmid, were prototrophic, and were of serogroup WII/WIII. About half of the strains, both of the African and Asian type, harboured the transfer plasmid. Strains of serogroup WII/WIII were less sensitive to tetracycline and cefoxitin than serogroup WI strains.