Carbohydrate fermentation plate medium for confirmation of Neisseria species

Abstract

A carbohydrate fermentation plate medium is described for rapid and reliable confirmation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis, and other Neisseria species. The medium is based on a modification of NYC (U.S. Patent 3,846,241) medium, originally designed for the isolation of pathogenic Neisseria (3). A total of 715 clinical isolates were tested for their carbohydrate fermentation reactions on the medium, in parallel with cystin-Trypticase agar medium. In 82% of the strains tested, results were in agreement on both media and 18% gave conflicting results. The NYC modification provides rapid and accurate fermentation patterns for use in routine confirmation procedures for Neisseria species.