New York City agar was developed for the isolation of which organism?

• A. Bordetella pertussis
• B. Campylobacter fetus
• C. Haemophilus influenzae
• D. Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Answer: (D)

New York City agar is a selective medium designed to isolate Neisseria gonorrhoeae from clinical specimens. It achieves this by providing nutrients that support Neisseria growth while adding inhibitors—such as vancomycin to suppress Gram-positive bacteria, colistin to limit competing Gram-negatives, and nystatin to inhibit fungi—so that the fastidious gonococcus can be recovered in mixed flora. This targeted approach is essential because Neisseria gonorrhoeae is often present with many other organisms, and standard media would be overwhelmed. Other organisms listed require different culture conditions: Bordetella pertussis grows best on Bordet-Gaertner or Regan-Lowe media, Haemophilus influenzae on chocolate agar with X and V factors, and Campylobacter fetus on selective microaerophilic media. The need to suppress competing organisms while supporting a fastidious, delicate organism makes New York City agar the appropriate choice for isolating Neisseria gonorrhoeae.