Author(s)

Cécile Ingrid Djuikoue^1*, Laurene Nzangem Doumene¹, Cedric Seugnou Nana^1*, Joviale Magne Talla², Herman Koyouo Tagne¹, Blondelle Kitio Messeu¹, Farid Wega², Tobie Vianney Kamany Kamdem¹, Willy Yamdeu Djonkouh¹, Ghandhi Fossouo Ndieffouo², Carole Tayimetha³, Benjamin D. Thumamo Pokam⁴, Nicolas Antoine-Moussiaux⁵

¹Department of Microbiology, Université des Montagnes, Bangangté, Cameroon.
²Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroun.
³National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon.
⁴Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
⁵Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Background and Objectives: Mitigation of antibiotic resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae has become a priority due to considerable health and economical disabilities it generates. In order to tackle the emergence of resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of penicillinase type β-lactamase-producing Neisseria gonorrheae among patients consulting for genital infectious disorders in two health-facilities in Yaounde, Cameroon. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study was conducted over a 3-month period, from July 2^nd to October 2^nd, 2022. Vaginal and urethral secretions were collected. Biochemical identification tests were performed on colonies grown on chocolate agar + polyvitex using the Api NH gallery. The detection of penicillinases was equally performed using the API NH gallery and confirmed using the antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of some antibiotics were determined using the E-Test. Results: The results showed that out of the 198 patients sampled, 16 (8.08%) were positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, among which 13/16 (81.25%) were penicillinase-type β-lactamase producers. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing results showed high co-resistances to antibiotics, mainly ciprofloxacin (100%), nalidixic acid (92.31%) and azithromycin (84.62%). Moreover, high Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of ceftriaxone (ranging from 6 to 24 mg/L) was observed toward Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates. The risk factors of the carriage of penicillinase-type β-lactamase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae identified were: a history of Sexually Transmitted infections (p = 0.01) and unprotected sexual intercourse (p = 0.01). Conclusion: The emergence of penicillinase-type β-lactamase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae is increasing and the situation is becoming worrisome. The identified risk factors can constitute a basic outlook to tackle resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and therefore sustain antibiotic stewardship.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Antimicrobial Resistance, β-Lactamase, Penicillinase, Cameroon

Djuikoue, C. , Doumene, L. , Nana, C. , Talla, J. , Tagne, H. , Messeu, B. , Wega, F. , Kamdem, T. , Djonkouh, W. , Ndieffouo, G. , Tayimetha, C. , Pokam, B. and Antoine-Moussiaux, N. (2023) Prevalence and Risk Factors of Penicillinase-Type β-Lactamase Producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolated from Patients Attending Health-Facilities in Yaounde, Cameroon. Open Journal of Medical Microbiology, 13, 220-233. doi: 10.4236/ojmm.2023.133018.