Neisseria gonorrhoeae

MICROBIOLOGY

• Non-motile, non-spore-forming, gram-negative diplococcus
• Infects cuboidal & columnar epithelium leading to a vigorous inflammatory response.
• Selective growth media (Thayer-Martin & New York City) most common; Cx routinely available in Dx of GC infection in settings that can process specimens appropriately. Swabs from urethral, cervical, rectal, pharyngeal, & ocular sites can be Cx’d.
• Non-amplified molecular testing, including EIA & DNA hybridization probes, may be used. Cervical & urethral swabs can be tested.
• Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are the gold standard and may be performed on urethral swabs, cervical swabs, urine, & self-collected vaginal swabs; CDC recommends their use on rectal and pharyngeal swabs even though they are not FDA cleared for that indication