@article{mbs:/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.059378-0, author = "Genders, R. E. and Spitaels, D. and Jansen, C. L. and van den Akker, Th. W. and Quint, K. D.", title = "A misleading urethral smear with polymorphonuclear leucocytes and intracellular diplococci; case report of urethritis caused by Neisseria meningitidis", journal= "Journal of Medical Microbiology", year = "2013", volume = "62", number = "12", pages = "1905-1906", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.059378-0", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.059378-0", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1473-5644", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "The primary pathogens found in men with urethritis are Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Rapid diagnosis of N. gonorrhoeae infection can be made based on a Gram- or methylene blue-stained urethral smear. We describe a case of a man with purulent penile discharge, in which microscopic examination led to the presumptive diagnosis of gonorrhoea. A nucleic acid amplification test was negative for N. gonorrhoeae but positive for C. trachomatis. Culture showed Gram-negative diplococci which were identified as Neisseria meningitidis. N. meningitidis can be sporadically pathogenic in the genito-urinary tract and mimicks gonococcal urethritis, and appears identical by microscopy. When a gonococcal urethritis is suspected based on clinical signs and microscopic examination, but investigatory tests cannot confirm the diagnosis, a N. meningitidis infection should be considered.", }