GM TestGonorrhea - Cultures (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)

Confirmation Diagnosis The Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) performs, upon request, confirmation tests for the identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and checks for PPNG (beta-lactamase test) on all positive cultures. Methodology includes the rapid sugar method, fluorescent antibody stain, and the beta-lactamase test.

Confirmation of N. gonorrhoeae is recommended in the following situations:

1. "Presumptive" positive cultures from urogenital sites. Confirmation is required from other body sites.

2. Suspected treatment failures. Request "PPNG" (penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoea) on form.

3. Any special or medico-legal situation, such as child abuse or rape.

NOTE: A presumptive positive is made when:

1. colonies growing on Thayer-Martin or Martin-Lewis media morphologically resemble G.C.;

2. oxidase test of such colonies is positive; and

3. Gram negative cocci are observed on a Gram stain of the oxidase positive colonies. (Organisms may be diploid, singular, or clusters.)

Criteria for Acceptance of Culture Specimen

1. Submit cultures on Thayer-Martin or other GC media, in CO₂ (Transgrow bottle, Jembec, Gono-Pak, or equivalent^*). Subcultures should be "pure" isolates to ensure recovery of the organisms following shipping.

2. Check to insure media has not expired prior to inoculation.

3. Incubate for 12-24 hours at 35^o- 36^o C before shipment. Please send only if there is visible growth.

4. Label cultures with patient's name, source and date of subculture. Include hours of prior culture incubation.

5. Ship cultures such that receipt at the OSPHL will be within a maximum of 72 hours from time of inoculation; 12-24 hours for incubation; up to 48 hours for shipping.

NOTE: Plates should be placed in CO₂ within ten minutes of inoculation and should remain at room temperature no longer than 1 to 1.5 hours before initial incubation. Transgrow cultures should be held at room temperature no longer than 1 to 1.5 hours before initial incubation.

Shipping Instructions

All specimens inoculated into enrichment media are considered "Etiologic Agents" and are subject to Federal shipping regulations. (See Specimen Transport and Shipping Section.)

1. Place Etiologic Agent in a securely closed, watertight Primary Container. (The entire plate/bag CO₂ system such as Jembec, Gono-Pak^*, etc, is considered the Etiologic Agent; the plastic bag does not constitute a primary container.)

2. Place primary container in a durable watertight Secondary Container. Include enough packing material for cushioning and absorption in case of a leak.

3. Place forms or other information around the outside of the secondary container.

4. Place secondary container and data forms into outer mailing container.

5. Place address label and Etiologic/Biomedical Material label on the outer mailing container.

Reports

Identification is performed Monday through Friday. Turnaround time is 2-5 days.

References

1. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS: Formerly Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Venereal Disease and Safety Depts., Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333).

2. The Public Health Laboratory Journal, Volume 38, Number 3, May, 1980, pp. 255-258.