Gonorrhea Laboratory Information Identification of N.
gonorrhoeae and Related Species The genus Neisseria contains a
number of species which are normal flora and pathogens of humans
and animals. Of these species, the species of human origin--and
particularly the pathogenic species, N. gonorrhoeae and N.
meningitidis--have been studied extensively in an effort to
control the infections they cause. Gonorrhea, caused by N.
gonorrhoeae, is one of the most frequently reported infectious
diseases in the United States and worldwide. Rapid tests have
been developed to identify and distinguish N. gonorrhoeae, from
the commensal Neisseria and related species which are normal
flora of the oro- and nasopharynx. Because many rapid tests for
the identification of N. gonorrhoeae test for a limited number
of characteristics which may be shared by one or more
nonpathogenic Neisseria spp., a non-gonococcal, commensal
Neisseria species may be incorrectly identified as N.
gonorrhoeae. Such incorrect identifications may result in