Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae ophthalmia neonatorum in Singapore

Abstract

The problem of ophthalmia neonatorum due to penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) has grown with the increasing prevalence of PPNG strains in Singapore. The epidemiological trends, clinical features, and treatment of ophthalmia neonatorum due to PPNG have been determined from the case histories of 11 babies with this condition treated between 1978 and 1980. All 11 cases were cured with a single intramuscular injection of kanamycin 0.5 g and 1% kanamycin eyedrops instilled for three days. In six of the 11 mothers, a non-PPNG strain was isolated.