title: A microbiological study of failed penicillin therapy for gonococcal urethritis in Durban.
abstract: Seventy-five men presenting with persistent urethral discharge after penicillin therapy were investigated for sexually transmitted pathogens during July - September 1987. The major aetiological agent isolated was Neisseria gonorrhoeae (58 patients (77.3%]. Penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae (PPNG) accounted for 58.6% of 58 isolates. Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 10.7% of patients and Trichomonas vaginalis in 14.7% of patients. When there is a high prevalence of PPNG, the use of penicillin as a first-line agent for therapy should be discontinued in favour of an agent active against PPNG and non-PPNG strains. Furthermore, in view of the relatively high prevalence of T. vaginalis, patients returning with persistent urethral discharge should be investigated and treated for infection with this protozoan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Natal, Durban.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hoosen
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Coetzee
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van den Ende
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010402:Penicillin G Procaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014526:Urethritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D010402:Penicillin G Procaine; D010400:Penicillin G