Penicillinase-Producing Plasmid Types in Neisseria gonorrhoeae Clinical Isolates from Australia

Abstract

ABSTRACTPenicillinase-producingNeisseria gonorrhoeae(PPNG) carrying theblaTEM-135gene is of particular concern, as it is considered a stepping stone toward resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. Here, we sought to characterize plasmid types and the occurrence of theblaTEM-135gene forN. gonorrhoeaeclinical isolates from Australia. We found thatblaTEM-135was prevalent in Australian PPNG and was detected on all three major plasmid types.