Penicillinase-producing gonococcal arthritis in a community hospital.

Disseminated Neisseria gonorrhoeae gonococcal infections are the leading cause of acute arthritis in young adults. Recent published information indicates that a small proportion of gonococcal arthritis is caused by penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG). This article reports three cases of PPNG over a 12-month period and recommends that all suspected cases of gonococcal arthritis be treated as if they were PPNG until proven otherwise.