BIDMC Laboratory Manual

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Laboratory Manual

GUIDELINES FOR DETECTION OF Neisseria gonorrhoeae AND/OR
Neisseria meningitidis

ANAL SWAB FOR R/O Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Moisten the swab provided with aerobic swab transport system with sterile non-bacteriostatic saline and insert the swab into the anal canal 3-4 cm beyond the anal sphincter. Rotate 360 degrees and leave in place 10 seconds. Then move swab back and forth to sample crypts. If fecal contamination of the swab is visible, discard, and sample again. An initial swab to remove fecal material may be necessary.
Put swab into transport medium.
Transport the specimen to the Laboratory without delay for optimal recovery of pathogens.

CERVIX and URETHRA – See Guidelines for Genital Culture

CEREBROSPINAL FLUID (CSF)

Aerobic bacteriology cultures and Gram stains are usually adequate for detection of N. meningitidis
Bacterial antigen tests have low sensitivity and specificity and are not recommended for use.

JOINT FLUID

Aspirate fluid using aseptic technique and put fluid into sterile container or capped syringe without needle for immediate transport to the laboratory.
Rapid processing is essential for detecting and growing organisms from joint fluid because of the many constituents in joint fluid which inhibit bacterial growth.

THROAT

Instructions for collection are the same as for performing a throat culture for Group A, beta-hemolytic streptococci.
See "Guidelines For Throat Culture".

BLOOD

Growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and some Neisseria meningitidis may be inhibited in standard blood culture bottles. When clinically indicated, an Isolator tube should be obtained in addition to 2 sets of Routine Blood Cultures and the comment "Blood Culture for Neisseria species" must be included in the request. Immediate transport to the laboratory is essential for optimal recovery of these organisms. Please call the Microbiology Laboratory (7-2306) to ensure proper handling on receipt in the lab.

Revised/reviewed 1/29/2008