The selectivity of vancomycin and lincomycin in NYC medium for the recovery of N. gonorrhoeae from clinical specimens.

Varying concentrations of vancomycin and lincomycin were tested separately in NYC medium to determine the degree of their selectivity and sensitivity for isolation of N. gonorrhoeae from clinical specimens. Results indicate that 2 microgram/ml of vancomycin used in conjunction with colymycin, amphotericin B, and trimethoprim lactate provide adequate selectivity and reduce the possibility of losses of vancomycin-sensitive strains of gonococci seen with 3 microgram/ml of vancomycin. The same medium with concentrations of from 1 to 4 microgram/ml of lincomycin substituted for vancomycin permitted more contamination and fewer recoveries of gonococci as compared with 2 microgram/ml of vancomycin.