Isolation of oxidase-positive Gram-negative cocci not belonging to the genus Neisseria from the urogenital tract.

In a 12-month period, oxidase-positive, Gram-negative cocci showing similar characteristics in biochemical tests have been isolated from the urogenital tract of 39 male and female patients. Although these organisms superficially resemble Neisseria gonorrhoeae, biochemical characterization and the results of DNA base composition analysis indicate that they do not belong to the genus Neisseria. The relationship of these organisms to the genera Neisseria, Achromobacter, and Pseudomonas is discussed.