I have heard that some laboratories have stopped performing beta-lactamase tests on Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Is this appropriate?

Answer:

In general, beta-lactamase tests on Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates are no longer necessary. Current recommendations for empiric therapy of gonorrhea in the United States include ceftriaxone, cefixime, or a fluoroquinolone, none of which are impacted by the results of a beta-lactamase test. Therapeutic recommendations have not included penicillin for a number of years. Thus, beta-lactamase test results would not be used for patient management in the United States. However, penicillin is still used, and remains effective therapy, in some other countries in the world. In those countries, beta-lactamase testing would still be appropriate. Some public health departments in the United States may continue to ask laboratories to provide beta-lactamase results when notifying them of positive N. gonorrhoeae cultures for epidemiologic purposes. However, most health departments eliminated this requirement because they can usually obtain any beta-lactamase result information they need from national, regional, and local surveillance programs.