[Classification of Gonococcus: auxanologic and serologic aspects using monoclonal antibodies].

500 N. gonorrhoeae strains from the area of Lübeck/West Germany, collected in 1976-84, were auxologically and serologically classified by means of monoclonal antibodies from the Genetic Systems Corporation, Seattle, Washington (USA), against gonococcal outer membrane protein I. During the first years, auxological classification showed high proportions of AHU-strains (40%), which amounted to 20% over the total observation period. PPNG and DGI strains have characteristic type patterns. Our synopsis of serovars corresponds with the results obtained in a recent world-wide study. Combined auxological and serological classification shows two N. gonorrhoeae pools, 18% each, which cannot be further distinguished: AHU/A1 and prototrophic/B3. The advantages of the system have been proved in answering plain epidemiological questions. For further discrimination, an additional independent classification method might be useful.