Current status of serotyping of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Protein I has become the basis of serotyping of N. gonorrhoeae. A panel of 12 anti-protein I monoclonal antibodies is supplied by Syva Company, Palo Alto, CA, through distributors for research purposes only. These distributors are responsible for storing the monoclonal antibodies, supplying research groups and training new users, particularly in the interpretation of coagglutination reactions. A European Workshop was held in Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany in July 1988 to discuss serotyping with these antibodies. The current uses of serotyping of N. gonorrhoeae include epidemiological studies, clinical purposes and surveillance of antibiotic resistance and plasmid carriage. Predominant serovars may be subtyped either by additional antibodies or with the use of another technique, such as auxotyping, determination of antibiotic sensitivities, plasmid analysis or genetic fingerprinting. Conversely, there is growing evidence that it may be appropriate to group certain serovars together. Data collected during prevalence studies could be combined with clinical information and an international data bank set up. This supposes a close future collaboration of all groups involved in the epidemiology of N. gonorrhoeae.