Abstract
We report on the antimicrobial resistance profile of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates and the distribution of tetM genes in isolates with high-level tetracycline resistance in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Male and female patients presenting with urethral and/or vaginal discharge were recruited into the study. Urethral and cervical secretions were cultured on New York City agar. Confirmatory tests for N. gonorrhoeae included Gram stain, catalase, oxidase, and carbohydrate utilization tests. Beta-lactamase was tested by means of the chromogenic cephalosporin test. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined using agar dilution with multipoint inoculation. Polymerase chain reaction with gel electrophoresis was used to detect the presence and type of the tetM gene. N. gonorrhoeae was isolated from the specimens of 319 (26%) of the 1220 recruited patients. Of these 319 isolates, 71% were resistant to 3 or more drugs. Resistance to azithromycin was found in 68% of the isolates. All isolates showed high-level tetracycline resistance with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 16 and 32 mg/mL. The tetM gene was present in 293 (92%). The American type was found in 264 (90%) and the Dutch type in 29 (10%). Twenty-six (8%) did not carry a tetM gene. The current syndromic management with dual ceftriaxone and azithromycin is due to the high level of azithromycin resistance factually single-drug therapy. High-level tetracycline resistance based on a resistance mechanism other than ribosome protection by the tetM gene product is present in N. gonorrhoeae infecting South African patients.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.