Reduction of Nitrite by Neisseria gonorrhoeae

A total of 112 Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains representing protein I serogroups WI, WII, and WIII and six auxotypes were tested for their ability to reduce nitrite. All strains reduced 0.001% (wt/vol) potassium nitrite (KNO2) within 24 h and 0.01% (wt/vol) KNO2within 48 h. None of the strains reduced 0.1% (wt/vol) KNO2even after incubation at 37°C for 5 days, and the strains could not be cultured from these tests after incubation for 24 h. Thus, all of the N. gonorrhoeae strains tested were nitrite sensitive but were able to reduce subtoxic concentrations of KNO2. Nitrite reduction is a species characteristic for N. gonorrhoeae.