Penicillinase-producing gonococci in the Netherlands.

Probably most penicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) isolated in the Netherlands are sent to the Laboratory for Chemotherapy of the Rijks Instituut voor de Volksgezondheid (RIV). The co-operation between the RIV and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) has resulted in a quarterly review of the PPNG strains isolated by the RIV Laboratory for Chemotherapy being sent to the Division of Infectious Diseases of the CMOH. The Division of Infectious Diseases then tries to obtain missing epidemiological data from those who have sent the PPNG strains to the RIV. The source of infection of the first Dutch case, as described by Stolz,l appeared to be a stewardess, who contracted the disease in the Philippines. Since the first two cases in the Netherlands were reported in 1976, the number of cases with infections due to fi-lactamase-producing N gonorrhoeae increased rapidly (table). In 1979 the number of cases (273) more than quintupled in comparison with that in 1978 (52 cases). In 1978, PPNG strains were found in four (8%) female patients. The proportion of female cases increased to 25% (67 cases) in 1979. The proportion of Dutch cases in 1977 was 18% compared with 62%7o and 45% in 1978 and 1979 respectively.