title: Evaluation of a culture procedure for identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
abstract: A new rapid culture technique (Microcult GC) for identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was compared with a standard culture procedure in 151 patients (59 males, 92 females) suffering from urethritis and/or cervicitis. In 86.8% of the patients identical results were achieved when the new and the standard culture techniques were compared. In 4% the new culture technique revealed N. gonorrhoeae, confirmed by Bram-stain microscopy, when the standard culture was negative. However in 9.1% the reverse was true. In conclusion the new technique showed a decrease of 5% compared with the standard culture method. None of the methods gave rise to detectable false reactions. The new culture procedure might be a complement in the diagnosis of gonorrhoea because of its ease and rapidity (results are available after 24 h) but the method should not be used as a single diagnostic as it suffers from an unacceptable non-specifity especially in women.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014521:Urethra / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media