Neisseria Gonorrhoeae

WHAT IS IT?

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a gram negative diplococci bacteria.

Gram stain of N. gonorrhoeae (source)
Gram stain of N. gonorrhoeae (source)
CULTURE CHARACTERISTICS

Thayer-Martin agar is used to culture this pathogen.

Glucose fermenter 

Maltose non-fermenter: this pathogen does not ferment maltose (which distinguishes it from Neisseria meningitides)

MOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS

IgA protease producer 

Specialized pili on surface that bind epithelial cells. These undergo rapid antigenic variation.

No polysaccaride capsule which is in contrast to Neisseria meningitides

TRANSMISSION

Sexually and perinatally transmitted.

CONDITIONS CAUSED

HEENT: neonatal conjunctivitis/conjunctivitis, ophthalmia neonatorum, oropharyngeal infection

GI: Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome

GU: gonorrhea/urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, acute prostatitis, endometritis

Musculoskeletal: septic arthritis, osteomyelitis

DIAGNOSIS

Nucleic acid testing of “first-catch” urine can definitely diagnose urethral infection with this pathogen.

TREATMENT

Treatment involves a single intramuscular dose of ceftriaxone (250 mg) and a single dose of azithromycin (1 gram). This treatment also covers chlamydia.

Erythromycin ointment prevents neonatal transmission of this condition.

OTHER HY FACTS

There is no vaccine for this pathogen due to its high rate of antigenic variation of pills proteins

C5-C9 deficiencies increase risk for Neisseria infections.

 

Page Updated: 06.08.2016