Neisseria 2

• What type of bacteria is Neisseria?

  Gram negative bacteria
• What is the shape of Neisseria bacteria?

  Gram negative diplococci "kidney beans"
• What are the motility characteristics of Neisseria?

  Non motile
• Are Neisseria bacteria spore forming?

  No, they are non spore forming
• What type of respiration do Neisseria bacteria perform?

  They are aerobes and facultative anaerobes
• What is a key biochemical characteristic of Neisseria?

  Oxidase positive
• What is a notable feature of Neisseria gonorrhoeae regarding encapsulation?

  It is non encapsulated
• What type of sugar does Neisseria gonorrhoeae ferment?

  It ferments glucose only
• What genetic feature does Neisseria gonorrhoeae contain?

  It contains a plasmid
• What is the resistance characteristic of most strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

  Most strains are resistant to penicillin (PPNG)
• What type of infections does Neisseria gonorrhoeae usually produce?

  Usually produces localized infections
• What are the structure and virulence factors of Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

  • Pili: Essential for virulence, attachment, and resistance to phagocytosis; antigenic variation leads to repeated infections.
  • Lipooligosaccharide (LOS): Important for immune evasion, attachment, invasion, and mediating toxic damage.
  • Outer membrane proteins (Opa, Rmp, Por): Important for attachment and immune evasion; undergo antigenic variation.
  • IgA protease: Cleaves mucosal IgA.
• What is gonorrhea?

  A sexually transmitted infection
• How do gonorrhea symptoms differ between males and females?

  Usually symptomatic in males and asymptomatic in females
• What is the major reservoir for the spread of gonorrhea?

  Asymptomatic patients
• What is the pathogenesis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

  1. Attachment to non-ciliated urogenital mucosal cells
  2. Endocytosis
  3. Invasion
  4. Flux of PMNC
  5. Resistance to intracellular killing
• What are common sites of infection for Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

  Urethra, endocervix, rectum, pharynx, and eye
• What are the clinical symptoms of gonorrhea in males?

  Dysuria and purulent urethral discharge
• What are the complications of gonorrhea in males?

  Epididymitis and urethral stricture
• What are the clinical symptoms of gonorrhea in females?

  Purulent vaginal discharge, vulvovaginitis, and endocervicitis
• What are the ascending infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in females?

  Endometritis, salpingitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• What are the complications of gonorrhea in females?

  Tubo-ovarian abscess, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, pelvic peritonitis, and Fitz-Hugh Curtis syndrome
• What is ophthalmia neonatorum?

  Neonatal conjunctivitis acquired during passage through the infected birth canal
• What are the complications of ophthalmia neonatorum?

  Corneal scarring and blindness
• What is a disseminated infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

  Patients with deficiency in complement C5 to C9 may experience bacteremia, septic arthritis, and dermatitis
• What is Reiter’s syndrome?

  A reactive arthritis, urethritis, and conjunctivitis that is immune-mediated
• What specimens are used for diagnosing Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

  • Endocervical swab
  • Urethral swab
  • Eye swab
• What is the staining characteristic of Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

  Gram negative intracellular diplococci
• What are the selective media used for culturing Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

  • Thayer-Martin medium: Chocolate blood agar with antibiotics (Vancomycin + Colistin + Nystatin)
  • New York City medium: Chocolate blood agar with additional antibiotics (Vancomycin + Colistin + Nystatin + Trimethoprim)
• What are the biochemical reactions of Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

  Oxidase positive and utilizes glucose only
• What serological tests are used for Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

  Gonococcal-specific antibodies and molecular amplification tests (PCR)
• What is the treatment for Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections?

  • Resistance to penicillin due to penicillinase production (PPNG)
  • Treatment options: Spectinomycin, 3rd generation Cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone, Cefotaxime), Ciprofloxacin
  • Treatment of concomitant STD (e.g., Chlamydia) with Doxycycline
• What is Moraxella catarrhalis?

  • Gram negative cocci
  • Commensal in the upper respiratory tract
  • Causes otitis media, sinusitis, conjunctivitis in children
  • Causes lower respiratory tract infections in patients with chronic lung disease