Gonorrhea is a continuing problem worldwide particularly in terms of the spread ofmultiple drug resistance.
We have successfully developed an efficient PCR method for the simultaneous identification of gonococci
and detection of the antimicrobial-resistant profile. By this method, penicillinase-producingNeisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG), high-level tetracycline-resistantN. gonorrhoeae (TRNG), and ciprofloxacin-resistantN.
gonorrhoeae (CRNG) can be clearly identified. Moreover, the plasmid-types of penicillin and tetracycline
resistance are also characterized. The method has 100 % sensitivity and specificity. It is also time- and laborsaving compared to the conventional method. Thus, the procedure is suitable for epidemiological
surveillance.