Question

Explain the routine laboratory techniques and tests (microscopy, bacterial culture media and conditions, biochemical tests and serology) used to isolate and identify N.meningitidis. (This section should contain descriptions and explanations of methods.) [1/2 page]

Answer 1

N. meningitidis are gram-negative, coffee-bean shaped diplococci bacteria they grow on blood agar medium and Chocolate agar medium.
35-37 C temperature and 5% CO2.They are aerobic bacteria contain the enzyme Oxidase
N. meningitidis are resistant to vancomycin and colistin antibiotics so they can be incorporated into the growth medium for their selective growth.
N. meningitidis morphologically identified using microscope by their appearance as unpigmented grey and unpigmented on a BAP(Blood agar plate) and appear round, smooth, moist, glistening, and convex, with a clearly defined edge.
N. meningitidis appear as large, colorless-to-grey, opaque colonies on a CAP(Chocolate agar plate).
They can be identified biochemically by isolating them from blood or Cerebrospinal fluid and growing them on blood agar medium and Chocolate agar medium because they need iron for their growth.
Performing Oxidase positive test, growing in the presence Maltose, Sucrose, Glucose they utilise maltose and glucose.

Polymerase chain reactions are very sensitive serological test for their identification