Neisseria gonorrhoeae: stability of typing markers after natural transmission.

Abstract

The gonococcal isolates from 15 contact pairs and 3 large contact groups were examined using various methods to assess the stability of different typing markers. With the exception of 1 contact group which showed variable proline requirements, the auxotypes were stable during natural transmission. Serogrouping using the coagglutination method to detect W and M antigens was undertaken. The lipopolysaccharide M antigens were readily lost and gained during transmission; the protein W antigens represented stable markers and are thus useful for epidemiological studies.