Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of prolyliminopeptidase-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in Denmark

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2005 Apr;24(4):280-3. doi: 10.1007/s10096-005-1319-5.

Abstract

In the study presented here 26 recent Danish clinical isolates of prolyliminopeptidase (PIP)-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae were phenotypically and genotypically characterized to investigate whether one or more PIP-negative strains are circulating in the Danish community. The profiles of these isolates were compared with those of three isolates from a recent outbreak of PIP-negative N. gonorrhoeae infection in the UK. Twenty-five of the Danish isolates and all three UK isolates had similar antibiograms and were designated serovar IB-4. Genotypic characterization by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, porB1b gene sequencing, and opa-typing revealed that these isolates were indistinguishable or closely related. The results indicate that at least one PIP-negative N. gonorrhoeae strain is currently circulating in the Danish community, and this strain is indistinguishable from the one that caused an outbreak in the UK.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aminopeptidases
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Gonorrhea / epidemiology
  • Gonorrhea / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / classification
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / enzymology*
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / genetics*
  • Phenotype
  • Phylogeny
  • Porins / genetics

Substances

  • Porins
  • porin protein, Neisseria
  • Aminopeptidases
  • prolyl aminopeptidase