Curing gonococci of beta-lactamase production with ethidium, acridius orange or acriflavine.

In 12 B-lactamase producing strains of N gonorrhoeae tested, the coding for enzyme production was sensitive, to varying degrees, to one or more of the three agents ethidium bromide, acridine orange, or acriflavine. The substances tested were able to eliminate the plasmid responsible for B-lactamase production but the time required varied. The Far East type of gonococci (plasmid 4.4 Md) were cured in under a week whereas the Liverpool/Ghana type (plasmid 3.2 Md) required more than 7 days treatment. (JPMA35 171, 1985).