Neisseria gonorrhoeae: evaluation of some methods used for carbohydrate utilization.

A total of 989 Neisseria gonorrhoeae cultures were examined for acid production from dextrose in seven different carbohydrate media. Four of these media were found to be quite accurate for this purpose. Some pitfalls in the preparation and usage of cystine trypticase agar carbohydrate media are discussed. The term 'fermentation' of carbohydrates by Neisseria species is inaccurate and responsible for some N. gonorrhoeae false-dextrose-negative results.