Plasmid profile, serogrouping, and auxotyping of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from Africa.

The plasmid patterns of 90 isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (including 39 penicillinase-producing strains) originating from various countries in Africa were determined. Serogrouping by coagglutination and auxotyping were used to characterise the isolates. The 4.4-megadalton plasmid was present in seven isolates out of 39 penicillinase-producing strains, two of which occurred with a conjugative 24.5-megadalton plasmid. The African strains were predominantly serogroup WI and wild type. Arginine-dependent isolates were as common as proline-dependent types.