title: Plasmid profile of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Greece.
abstract: Four plasmid patterns were detected in thirteen strains of beta-lactamase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in Greece. Nine strains harbored the 4.5 Mdal penicillin-resistance plasmid with or without a 24.5 Mdal conjugative plasmid, two strains carried the 3.2 Mdal penicillin-resistance plasmid and two strains the new combination of the 3.2 Mdal penicillin-resistance plasmid and the conjugative plasmid (24.5 Mdal). Conjugal transfer experiments between Neisseria gonorrhoeae and E. coli revealed that beta-lactamase activity was acquired by recipient E. coli. The 4.5 and 3.2 Mdal penicillin-resistance plasmids were detected in the transconjugants by agarose gel electrophoresis, but co-transfer of the conjugative plasmid did not occur. The auxotypes and plasmid profiles were also compared.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D010405:Penicillinase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010406:Penicillins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011815:R Factors; D014526:Urethritis / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D010406:Penicillins; D010405:Penicillinase