[Characteristics of the first penicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in Tunisia].

The first penicillinase-producing strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was recently isolated in Tunisia (1989). Betalactamase production was detected by the iodometric agar test. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in agar medium were 128 micrograms/ml for penicillin, ampicillin and amoxycillin. With the amoxycillin-clavulanic acid combination, MIC fell to 0.25 microgram/ml. An Asian-type plasmid pattern was evidenced in this strain, with presence of the 2.6 Mdal cryptic plasmid and of a 4.5 Mdal plasmid.