(PL21) EVALUATION OF CHOCOLATE AGAR SLANT-PARAFFIN OIL FOR AMBIENT TRANSPORT OF NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE CULTURE SPECIMENS FROM GREENSBORO, NC TO SEATTLE, WA

Background:
In our previous study, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) from urethral discharge specimens held in chocolate agar slant-paraffin oil (agar slant-oil) remained viable 72–96 hours. This study evaluated the recovery of NG from clinical specimens transported in agar slant-oil at ambient temperature from Greensboro, NC to Seattle.

Methods:
From 8/2023 to 2/2024, we collected gonorrhea culture specimens from patients presenting to Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services – Division of Public Health using a polyester-tipped swab promptly placed in agar slant-oil by either the provider or lab staff. Lab staff assured correct placement of swab specimens in the agar slant-oil. Specimens were held at room temperature until shipped to the University of Washington Neisseria Reference Laboratory (UW NRL). UW NRL cultured specimens on Modified Thayer-Martin agar and performed NG species confirmation by MALDI-TOF.

Results:
We tested 58 (10 vaginal, 1 endocervical, 31 penile discharge, and 16 urethral) specimens from 57 patients. 86% (50/58) had a clinical NG culture performed and 40 were positive. Of the agar slant-oil specimens associated with these positive cultures, we recovered NG from 22 (55%) plus an additional slant-oil NG culture positive that had a positive NG NAAT but a negative clinical NG culture. 9 of 10 specimens that were negative by clinical NG culture had negative agar slant-oil culture results. Compared to clinical NG positive culture, recovery of NG from agar slant-oil varied by specimen types [penile discharge 55.5% (15/27); urethral 50% (6/12); vaginal 100% (1/1)]. Ten specimens were not fully inserted in the agar slant-oil and growth of contaminating bacteria inhibited NG recovery. Ambient transit days for agar slant-oil specimens from Greensboro to Seattle ranged from 1-5 days.

Conclusion:
We showed modest recovery of NG from clinical specimens transported at ambient temperature in agar slant-oil from Greensboro to Seattle.