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Two panels of monoclonal antibody reagents were used to serotype all strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated from four separate geographical areas serving two million of the five million Scottish population. Serotype 1B isolates accounted for 60% of the 869 strains examined and were more prevalent than 1A isolates in each geographical area. A total of 11 1A serovars and 47 1B serovars were recognised. Only two of the 11 1A serovars (Aedgkih/Arost and Aedih/Arst) were found in every centre but these accounted for over 90% of the 1A isolates. Although there was a total of 47 different 1B serovars over 80% of the isolates were accounted for by the ten most commonly encountered serovars. There were, however, marked geographical differences within both major and minor serovars. There was a highly significant difference (P less than 0.001) between protein 1A and 1B serovars with respect to their susceptibility to penicillin. Within each protein 1 type there were also differences in antibiotic susceptibility. Penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae (PPNG) were found in all centres and accounted for 24 (2.8%) of the 869 isolates. The majority of the PPNG (71%) were serotype 1A and with one exception were serovar Aedih/Arst. PPNG strains accounted for 37% (16) of the 43 Aedih/Arst isolates. Epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic implications arising from the distinct geographical differences in the pool of circulating gonococci are discussed.

In the last three months of 1985 there was an outbreak of legionnaires' disease at Glasgow Royal Infirmary affecting 15 patients and one surgeon; five patients died. Legionnaires' disease was first suspected when a second case of severe nosocomial pneumonia occurred in a high dependency unit. The application of the direct fluorescent antibody test to specimens obtained at bronchoscopy was responsible for the rapid diagnosis of legionnaires' disease, which led to the prescription of appropriate antibiotic treatment and the shutting down of the contaminated cooling tower, thereby containing the outbreak. It also led to a search for further cases. It is suggested that these diagnostic techniques should be included in the investigation of affected patients in an outbreak of pneumonia.

The outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Glasgow Royal Infirmary is discussed together with the problems such an outbreak poses to the microbiologist. The importance of early diagnosis is stressed. The outbreak was managed by a team drawn up from various disciplines within the hospital. Frank daily reports to the press, together with regular staff meetings with staff representatives helped to allay public anxiety. The subsequent maintenance and monitoring of the wet cooling tower required for the hospital ventilation system have resulted in considerable additional work for the microbiology department but especially for the hospital engineers.

The bacteriological investigation of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Glasgow Royal Infirmary affecting 16 patients is described. Most of the patients had been treated in high-dependency areas on two floors of the hospital supplied by the same two air-conditioned ventilation systems. The source of infection was traced to contamination of a cooling tower from which a plume of spray discharged into the intake vents of the two ventilation systems. Rubber grommets within the cooling tower probably provided a nidus of infection there. The control and management of the outbreak are discussed: a policy of frankness about the course and progress of the investigations was adopted and helped to allay anxiety on the part of both staff and media.