Conjugal transfer of gonococcal beta-lactamase and conjugative plasmids to Neisseria meningitidis.

The filter mating of a gonococcal isolate, carrying the 3.2 Md beta-lactamase and 24.5 Md conjugative plasmids with a plasmid-free strain of Neisseria meningitidis, resulted in the transfer of both plasmids to the meningococcus. Transconjugants were able to maintain both plasmids and transfer the 3.2 Md plasmid to another meningococcal strain in a subsequent filter mating.