Abstract

A rapid carbohydrate utilization test for the identification of N. gonorrhoeae was investigated, with reference to its use in a routine diagnostic laboratory. The rapid test was shown to give accurate results in agreement with those of a conventional serum-free sugar medium. Because of the shorter time taken for the confirmation of an isolate, and several other advantages, it is proposed that the rapid test is an extremely useful alternative to conventional sugar tests. Immunofluorescence was also used to identify isolates of N. gonorrhoeae and the rapid carbohydrate utilization test was found to assist in differentiating between N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis when equivocal or negative immunofluorescence results were obtained.