ABSTRACT
Standard and experimental tests were used by a reference diagnostic laboratory to determine the identity of 182 "suspected" Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates submitted by state health departments because of inconclusive laboratory results. More than 97% of these cultures were subsequently identified by a rapid microcarbohydrate test in conjunction with confirmatory immunological procedures. The experimental rapid slide agglutination test using rough-lipopolysaccharide antibody, the Phadebact co-agglutination test, and fluorescent antibody test identified 49.3 to 94.1% of these cultures. Because of frequent problems with carbohydrate utilization, Neisseria meningitidis and Branhamella catarrhalis were the two microorganisms most often confused with N. gonorrhoeae by submitting laboratories.
Subject(s)
Culture Media , Neisseria gonorrhoeae/classification , Agglutination Tests , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Neisseria gonorrhoeae/growth & development , Neisseria gonorrhoeae/immunologyABSTRACT
An antigen suspension consisting of cholesterol-lecithin particles sensitized with an extract of gonococci was used in a flocculation assay for the detection of human antibodies to Neisseria gonorrhoeae. With culturally and clinically diagnosed cases of uncomplicated gonorrhea, sera from 70 (49.6%) of 141 males and 207 (79.0%) of 262 females were reactive in the assay. Sera from four (7.3%) of 55 males and 11 (5.4%) of 203 females, all presumed normal, were reactive. The assay utilized equipment available in most clinical and public health laboratories.
Subject(s)
Antibodies/analysis , Neisseria gonorrhoeae/immunology , Serologic Tests , Antigens , Cholesterol , Female , Humans , Male , PhosphatidylcholinesABSTRACT
Two antigen preparations, the soluble antigen and a fraction 1 thereof, isolated in the course of a systematic study of the various antigens of the virulent gonococcus, have been investigated for their ability to serve as antigens for the detection of antibody in patients infected with the gonococcus. The soluble antigen was reactive with 88.2% of the sera from infected females, and fraction 1 was reactive with 71.6% of the sera. Of sera from infected males, only 27.6% reacted with the soluble antigen and only 20.4% with fraction 1. Of sera from individuals presumed free of gonococcal infection, approximately 4% reacted with the soluble antigen; none reacted with fraction 1. This study suggests that these antigens might be adaptable to the detection of human gonococcal antibody, especially in the female.
Subject(s)
Antigens , Neisseria gonorrhoeae/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Antibodies/analysis , Antibody Formation , Antigen-Antibody Reactions , Complement Fixation Tests , Female , Gonorrhea/immunology , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The varied pressures required for disruption of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other species of Neisseria when the Sorvall-Ribi refrigerated cell fractionator is used in the preparation of cell walls and cellular protoplasm are reported. Optimal disruption pressure for the gonococcus was considerably less than that required for other members of the genus Neisseria. Pressures varied from 8,000 psi for N. gonorrhoeae F62, colony type 4, to 22,000 psi for the nonpathogenic Neisseria-N. sicca, N. flava, and N. catarrhalis. Representative electron photomicrographs are shown.
Subject(s)
Bacteriological Techniques , Cell Biology , Neisseria , Pressure , Cell Wall , Cytoplasm , Microscopy, Electron , Neisseria gonorrhoeae , Neisseria meningitidisABSTRACT
During 35 months of selective in vitro cultivation, Neisseria gonorrhoeae cells retained their virulence for humans and were shown to be closely related to a particular colonial morphology. Saline-autoagglutinability was the only other characteristic distinguishing virulent from avirulent cells. Human responses to challenge with cells of the different colonial types were studied for their relationships to virulence or avirulence.
