Editing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (section)

=== Culture and identification ===
[[File:Neisseria gonorrhoeae 01.png|thumb|Thayer–Martin agar is selective for growth of ''Neisseria'' species. Further testing (oxidase, carbohydrate use and pcr) can be used to differentiate ''N. gonorrhoeae'' from ''N. meningitidis.q'']]
''N. gonorrhoeae'' can be isolated on [[Thayer–Martin agar]] (or VPN) agar in an atmosphere enriched with 3-7% carbon dioxide.<ref name="Ng_2005" /> Thayer–Martin agar is a chocolate [[agar plate]] (heated blood agar) containing nutrients and [[antibiotic|antimicrobial]]s ([[vancomycin]], [[colistin]], [[nystatin]], and [[trimethoprim]]). This agar preparation facilitates the growth of ''Neisseria'' species while inhibiting the growth of contaminating bacteria and fungi. Martin Lewis and [[New York City agar]] are other types of selective chocolate agar commonly used for ''Neisseria'' growth.<ref name="Ng_2005" /> ''N. gonorrhoeae'' is [[Oxidase test|oxidase]] positive (possessing cytochrome c oxidase) and [[catalase]] positive (able to convert hydrogen peroxide to oxygen).<ref name="Ng_2005" /> When incubated with the carbohydrates lactose, [[maltose]], [[sucrose]], and [[glucose]], ''N. gonorrhoeae'' will oxidize only the glucose.<ref name="Ng_2005" />