Characterization of proline, citrulline, and uracil auxotrophic plasmid-carrying Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in Canada, 1993-2003.
OBJECTIVE
Proline, citrulline, and uracil (PCU) Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a common auxotroph in Canada and resistance to antibiotics in this auxotroph is rare.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine the characteristics of the PCU strains that have plasmids.


METHODS
PCU strains sent between 1993 and 2003 for reference work to the National Microbiology Laboratory were analyzed for their plasmid profiles and antimicrobial susceptibilities. PCU strains containing plasmids and/or antimicrobial resistant were serotyped, and por and tbpB genes were sequenced to determine their antigenic types.


RESULTS
Forty strains containing plasmids were identified; serotype IB-11 and por/tbpB sequence type 2 was the most common pattern (28 of 40 strains [70%]). One strain had plasmids that conferred resistance to penicillin and tetracycline and 4 plasmidless strains were resistant to tetracycline.


CONCLUSIONS
PCU auxotrophic N. gonorrhoeae carrying plasmids and/or that have chromosomal genes mutated to resist antimicrobials have been identified in Canada. This shows the competency of this pathogen to survive under antimicrobial pressure and the importance of continuous surveillance.
Ng
Lai-King
LK
Bacteriology and Enterics Diseases Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. lai_king_ng@phac-aspc.gc.ca
Lau
Allan
A
Martin
Irene
I
Tsang
Raymond
R
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002956:Citrulline / Q000378:metabolism; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010957:Plasmids; D011392:Proline / Q000378:metabolism; D014498:Uracil / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002956:Citrulline; D014498:Uracil; D011392:Proline