Adaptation of the Minitek system for the rapid identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

A suspending medium was developed for use with the Minitek system for the confirmatory identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis, and N. lactamica based upon the production of acid from various carbohydrates. The addition of sodium bicarbonate to the medium made negative reactions easier to read. More isolates of N. gonorrhoeae were identified with the suspending medium in the Minitek system than with cystine-Trypticase agar media. With a suitable inoculum size, a positive identification could be made in less than 1 h; most isolates (90,8%) could be identified within 4 h of inoculation. The Minitek system is reliable and easy to use.