Which of the following is NOT appropriate when attempting to isolate N. gonorrheae from a genital specimen?

When isolating Neisseria gonorrhoeae from a genital specimen, culture conditions are critical. N. gonorrhoeae is an obligate intracellular organism that thrives in specific environments, particularly those with enriched atmospheric conditions. Ambient oxygen levels are not conducive to the growth of this microorganism; instead, it requires a specific mixture of gases, typically in a carbon dioxide-rich environment, to promote optimal growth.

Culturing the specimens in ambient oxygen at 37°C does not provide the necessary anaerobic or microaerophilic conditions that N. gonorrhoeae prefers, which can lead to a failure in isolating the pathogen.

In contrast, using charcoal transport medium, plating the specimen on modified Thayer-Marin medium, or using New York City or Martin-Lewis agar allows for the proper preservation and nutritional requirements for N. gonorrhoeae, thereby enabling successful isolation and identification of the organism. These media are specifically designed to inhibit the growth of competing flora while providing the necessary nutrients for Neisseria gonorrhoeae to flourish.