[Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture: development of an easy method]

An easy and cheap method for culturing Neisseria is developed. The medium for gonococci is prepared as proposed by the producer (BBL, Oxoid, Hoechst). About 8 ml of the medium are poured in sterile air-tight stool tubes of 25 ml volume. Materials to be examined for gonococci are taken from the cervix, ureter or anus and are inoculated on the medium. A small piece (20-30 mg) of the GasPak tablet (BBL) is then deposited in the tube and closed immediately. The GasPak tablet consists of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid which, if they come in contact with humidity, produce CO2 gas. The inoculated tube is then put in an incubator at 37 degrees C for 14-24 h. This method gives a good microbiological result. With the aid of the oxidase reaction the colonies take a brown-black color. For further differentiation of the species the sugar fermentation method is necessary.