A Study Of The Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern Of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae

Background and objectives: Rapidly emerging antimicrobial resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates to currently recommended antibiotics is a setback for effective treatment and control of disease. This study was carried out to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile in the isolates obtained from female sexual workers and male patients attending STI clinics in Hyderabad. Materials and methods: Isolates were tested for sensitivity pattern of penicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin azithromycin, cefixime and spectinomycin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and zones of inhibition were interpreted according to CLSI guidelines. β lactamase production was detected by chromogenic cephalosporin method using nitrocefin disc. Results and conclusion: 20 isolates of Neisseria gonorrhea were identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility profile. Of them 35%, 35%, 20%, 45% and 5% were resistant to penicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin and cefixime respectively. 30% of isolates were penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae. More of less susceptible strains to these antibiotics were identified. Emergence of less susceptible (10%) and resistant strains (5%) to cefixime, which is the current drug of choice, is a cause of concern. Thus periodic surveillance of susceptibility levels of N. gonorrhoeae is essential to prevent the dissemination of drug resistant strains in the community.