Surveillance of penicillinase producing gonococci in the Netherlands; incidence and prevalence in 1990

Abstract niet beschikbaarIn this report the data from the surveillance of penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) in the Netherlands in 1990 are summarized. The inquiry among participating laboratories and the survey of the Health Inspectorate indicate that the incidence of gonorrhoeae - after a strong decrease in the mid-eighties followed by a stabilization in the period 1988-89 around 3000 cases annually - has increased again to approximately 3600 in 1990. The prevalence of PPNG among gonococcal isolates further increased to 30%. In only 2 of the 23 municipalities PPNG-frequencies below 10% were found. The outbreak of tetracycline resistant PPNG, reaching its peak in 1989, seems to fade-away. Nevertheless still 12% of all PPNG in 1990 were resistant to tetracyclines. The more than 1000 PPNG isolates tested were susceptible to the newer cefalosporines (e.g. cefotaxime and ceftriaxone) and fluoroquinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin). However, caution is warranted since the MIC values for some isolates indicated decreased susceptibility.GH