Survival of Neisseria gonorrhoeae on surfaces.

The survival of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was investigated. It was found that gonococci could survive 24 hours in urethral secretion on a glass slide and on a towel at 22 degrees C, and 120 hours at 4 degrees C. A method was developed by which the survival of gonococci could be followed in vitro. With this method, gonococci grown in vitro were found to be protected by human serum, in contrast to gonococci resuspended in NaCl. The factors affecting the survival are discussed.