Neisseria flava
# Neisseria flava

Neisseria flava (Latin: flava, yellow, golden) is a bacterium belonging to a group of species under the genus Neisseria that is considered non-pathogenic. Along with its other members of the non-pathogenic group, Neisseria flava is often found in the upper respiratory tract surface in humans. On rare occasions, it can cause rheumatic heart disease and ventricular septal defect aortic insufficiency.

## Identification

Steps

* Perform Gram-stain to identify the bacterium in question, continue to step 2 if it is found to be Gram negative cocci.
* Neisseria flava is an aerobic microbe, try growing some of the same in the presence in air/air + $CO_2.$
* Transfer sample able to growth in air to a NA medium at 25C, continue to step 4 if colonies are observed.
   * If not, be aware of the microbe being handled, it is either Neisseria meningitidis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae, both of which are pathogenic.
* Finally, perform nitrate test.

Alternative test is Oxidative/fermentation glucose test(O/F test). If found to be oxidative, it is Neisseria spp.

* If positive in the final test, the microbe is Moraxella.
* If negative in the final test, the microbe is Neisseria spp.
