- Gram-negative intracellular diplococci in a urethral smear (males only)
Culture
- Growth on enriched chocolates agar with isovitalex and on selective media such as Modified Thayer Martin that contains antimicrobials to inhibit normal flora
- Grows at 35 to 37 degrees C under increased carbon dioxide
- Usually visible on media at 24 hours as small, tan colonies
- Colony morphology:
- Freshly isolated strains exhibit at least two of four colony forms: T1, T2, T3, and T4
- T1 colonies predominate in initial isolation
- T3 colonies predominate in subcultures
- Presumptive identification: typical colony formation on selective media with oxidase positive, gram negative diplococci
PHIL
http://www.cdc.gov/std/Gonorrhea/lab/Ngon.htm
