COMPARISON OF 3 FERMENTATION METHODS FOR CONFIRMATION OF NEISSERIA-GONORRHOEAE

Abstract

When confirming suspected isolates of N. gonorrhoeae, laboratories use a fluorescent antibody method or a fermentation technique, usually the cystine-trypticase agar (CTA) semisolid. Suspected N. gonorrhoeae from the throat, rectum and blood require this confirmation. The modified rapid fermentation test (MRFT) was compared with the standard CTA and the Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA) slant methods. The MRFT appeared to have greater sensitivity than the other 2 methods, and results could be obtained within a 4 h period compared with overnight for the other 2 methods. The MRFT gave quicker results with greater sensitivity than either the MHA slant or the CTA semi-solid techniques.