Temporal changes in the gonococcal serovar patterns in Stockholm during two years with special reference to PPNG strains.

Abstract

Objective-To analyse temporal changes in gonococcal serovar patterns in Stockholm during a two year study period (1987)(1988)(1989) Arost/Aedgkih (IA-1, IA-2), BroptlBajk (IB-3, IB-6), BrpyustlBacejk (IB-1, IB-2) were the most prevalent in the overall study, accounting for 60% of the isolates during the first quarter of the study and 36% of the isolates during the last quarter. Fifty-seven percent of the patients were infected in Stockholm (endemic infection). The proportion of endemic isolates among the three most common serovars declined throughout the study period (77% during the first quarter; 47% during the last quarter). A total of 32 PhIGS-serovars were recognised among 80 PPNG strains. Only four of these 32 serovars were encountered during more than two quarters. Of 57 patients with PPNG strains and with geo-

The Epidemiology of Gonorrhea Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Stockholm, Sweden, 1990–2004

“…Surveillance data from the CMO in Stockholm showed that the majority of the gonorrhoea cases in MSM were domestic. Contrary, the great variation of serovars and the continuing introduction of new serovars during the whole 15-year period indicate an ongoing importation of N. gonorrhoeae strains and, in most cases, rapid elimination in line with previously published experiences in Sweden [96]. However, by extending the study period to 15 years, we could demonstrate that several serovars really became endemic in the MSM group.…”

The virgin population of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Stockholm has decreased and antimicrobial resistance is increasing.

“…22 The proportion of endemic gonococcal strains in Stockholm decreased by half to 40% during 1987-1989.23 In another study the majority of patients infected with PPNG strains of known origin were infected abroad, half of them in Asia. 24 High prevalence of PPNG strains has been reported from Southeast Asia.25 27 Half of all tetracycline resistant N gonorrhoeae strains isolated in Stockholm 1988 were imported from Asia22 It has also been reported that a majority of the gonococcal strains isolated in both the Philippines and Thailand in 1989 and 1990 were resistant to tetracycline.2526 Tetracycline has never been a drug of choice for treating gonorrhoea in Sweden. However, resistance to tetracycline in N gonorrhoeae strains might also arise in Sweden from treating presumed chlamydial infections and urethritis.…”