ABSTRACT
Objective To establish a molecular typing method (opa-typing) for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and to evaluate its performance based on epidemiological data. Methods Twenty-six gonorrhea patients were recruited from March to April 2006 at two sites, including 17 cases from the STD Clinic of Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College and 9 cases from the STD Clinic of Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology. Of the 26 patients, 6 were from three known sexual links, while the remaining 20 patients did not have any sexual contact with each other. The opa gene was amplified by using PCR from Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from these patients followed by overnight digestion with restriction enzymes Taq Ⅰ and Hpa Ⅱ. The enzyme digestion band patterns were analyzed using the Cel-Compar program. Results The opa gene was successfully amplified from all the 26 Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains, and restrictedly digested by endonucleases Taq Ⅰ and Hpa Ⅱ . Identical band patterns were observed between patients with sexual links, but not among the remaining 20 patients. Conclusions The results of opatyping of Neisseria gonorrhoeae coincide with the information on sexual behaviour provided by patients. Opatyping may serve as a reliable tool in sexual network analysis.