Epidemiology and screening of plasmid content of penicillin-sensitive and-resistant neisseria gonorrhoeae

number: 
651
English
Degree: 
Imprint: 
Medicine
Author: 
Azhar Abdul-Fattah Al-Atraqchi
Supervisor: 
Dr.Huda S. M. Ammash
year: 
1994
Abstract:

The present study was carried out on isolates of N. gonorrhoeae collected from patients complaining of gonococcal urethritis. The rate of Infection with penicillin resistant microorganisms was determined, in addition to the pattern of sensitivity towards other antibiotics. Beta-lactamase production by N . gonorrhoeae isolates was studied by employing (Rapid iodometric method), while the screening of penicillin resistant isolates was employed by using (Disc diffusion method) was found that out of 49 isolates of N. gonorrhoeae, 33 (67-34%)were penicillin resistant and of which were Beta-lactamase (penicillinase) producers. The relationship between resistance to penicillin, marital status,and age of patients was evaluated. , The highest isolation rate of N . gonorrhoeae occured in the age (group 20 - 29 years old. The disease was more common in single patients than in married ones. Penicillin resistant microorganisms formed lOOj%of isolates in the age group l6 - 20 years old, while penicillin sensitive isolates formed 100% of those in the age group 46 - 50 years old. The percentage of penicillin resistance is higher among isolates from Single patients than those from married ones. In order to determine whether the gene(s) that control beta— lacta - mase production are plasmid or chromosomally mediated, screening of the plasmid content for the 36 isolates was performed. The relationship between plasmid content and the beta - lactamase production was evaluated. The isolates were classified into "7" groups according to their plasmid content as: penicillin resistant isolates having "4" small plasmids, "6" small plasmids, one mega plasmid and one small plasmid, penicillin sensitive isolates having "V samll plasmides one mega plasmid, and the last group included the two kinds of isolates with no plasmids. No relationship could be established between a specific plasmid and beta- lactamase production and penicllin resistance. It is concluded that resistance to penicillin in local isolates of N.gnorrhoeae is probably a chromosomally mediated phenomenon.