Molecular tests can allow confirmation of invasive meningococcal disease when isolates yield atypical maltose, glucose or gamma-glutamyl peptidase test results.

Analysis of atypical meningococci from invasive disease that either (i) did not produce acid from maltose and glucose or (ii) were gamma-glutamyl peptidase test negative for porA and porB DNA variable region (VR) type, multilocus sequence type, and for presence of capsule transport gene ctrA, conclusively demonstrated that these are Neisseria meningitidis.