Abstract

The coagglutination (COA) test for the identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was compared with immunofluorescence and sugar degradation tests on 1710 gonococcal isolates, 72 of which produce beta-lactamase. The COA test gave a positive result for 98.6% of the strains. Treatment of suspensions with Streptomyces enzyme reduced the incidence of inconclusive results due to autoagglutination to 1.2%. Cross-reactivity of the gonococcal antiserum was minimised by absorption with meningococci and Moraxella species. The COA provide a simple, quick, and reliable method for identifying N gonorrhoeae in culture.