Survey of the use of selective culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in specimens from the female genital tract sent by general practitioners to a microbiology laboratory.

A retrospective survey of the number of cultures found to be positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in genital specimens from female patients sent by general practitioners (GPs) over a three-year period was carried out. The organism could be detected in only four specimens out of over 28,000 specimens sent. Specifically, additional selective culture for N gonorrhoeae had been carried out in 8529 of these specimens. An estimate of the cost savings achievable if this laboratory was no longer to culture routinely for N gonorrhoeae was made. GPs should be aware of their local laboratory's normal practice when processing such specimen and should request specific culture if appropriate. The low number of specimens from which N gonorrhoeae could be cultured might suggest that GPs are referring 'at-risk' patients to genitourinary medicine clinics already.