Microbiology Test

Test : Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture


Indications : N gonorrhoeae culture is ordered when gonorrhea is suspected.

N gonorrhoeae is a very fragile organism and mixes easily with the normal human flora. Therefore it must be cultured carefully, using appropriate media (chocolate agar with antibiotics) under laboratory conditions.

Samples include vaginal discharge, pus, swab of genital lesions, discharge or scrapings of the urethra and the endocervix.

In women, cervical swabs are preferred over vaginal or urethral specimens. Throat swab or rectal swabs may be taken from men, but after understanding their sexual practices only.

Swabs may be streaked directly onto petriplates containing culture media or it can be transported to the lab in a vial containing transport medium.

Physiology : Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture test is done to detect the presence of the gram –negative, coffee bean - shaped bacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

N. gonorrhoeae is a bacterium that causes a sexually-transmitted disease, gonorrhea, which chiefly affects the mucous membranes of the urethra and cervix. Gonorrhea is also known to affect the mucus lining of the rectum, oropharynx, and conjunctivae, although less frequently.

In women, the infection can spread and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Normal Range : No Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated.

Interpretation : Normal

Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture results are negative (no growth)

Abnormal

Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture results are positive. Colonies of the bacteria appear on the culture plates one or two days after incubation with carbon dioxide, at 35 degrees.

A positive result indicates gonorrhea infection for which treatment must be initiated as quickly as possible.

Sample : Body fluid, discharge, pus, swab of genital lesions, urethral discharge, endocervix, throat swab, rectal swab.

Test Method : Culture on selective media. DNA probes, Monoclonal antibodies, Enzyme immunoassay.

Related Tests : Penicillinase Test, RPR, VDRL, Neisseria gonorrhoeae smear

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