Penicillinase-producing plasmid types in Neisseria gonorrhoeae clinical isolates from Australia.

Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) carrying the bla(TEM-135) gene 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 the bla(TEM-135) gene for N. gonorrhoeae clinical isolates from Australia. We found that bla(TEM-135) was prevalent in Australian PPNG and was detected on all three major plasmid types.