Term
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Definition
genus of aerobic,non-motile, *oxidase-
positive*, gram-negative cocci that are normally arranged as diplococci (pairs);
2. Two species are overt
pathogens for humans.
A. N. gonorrhoeae (the gonococcus).
B. N. meningitidis (the meningococcus).
3. They are the only gram-negative cocci that are overt
pathogens for humans & are only found in humans. |
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Term
| Fimbriae & Opa surface proteins, |
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Definition
Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N meninitidis-are adhesins
that allow them to attach to non-ciliated mucosal
columnar epithelial cells; |
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Term
| Lipooligosaccaride (LOS), |
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Definition
Neisseria gonorrhoeae-contains lipid A and
core polysaccharide but lacks the O-specific antigen. It
is a *potent endotoxin.* |
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Term
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Definition
Neisseria gonorrhoeae-regularly change the
structure of their fimbriae & Opa proteins, and produce
*hundreds of different antigenic types* of each protein |
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Term
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Definition
Neisseria gonorrhoeae-can turn off or on the production
of fimbriae and the Opa proteins. Opa negative strains
are resistant to phagocytosis |
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Term
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Definition
| Neisseria gonorrhoeae-prevents opsonization by antibodies and complement. |
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Term
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Definition
N meningitidis- which they *shed in large amounts as they grow.* It is a *potent endotoxin* that causes shock,
inflammation and disseminated intravascular coagulation |
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Term
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Definition
*antiphagocytic factor* tht make them* resist killing* by complement and phagocytes, and
multiply in blood and in phagocytes. There are 13 capsular subtypes |
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Term
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Definition
common human sexually transmitted
disease characterized by suppurative inflammation
of the urethra, cervix, rectum and/or pharynx
It is the *2nd most common
reportable infectious disease*
often *asymptomatic in females* for
years after the initial infection |
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Term
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Definition
Gonococci *adhere to non-cilated mucosal columnar epithelial cells*, which are present in the mucous
membranes of the urethra, cervix, pharynx & rectum
A. Gonorrhea usually begins at one of these sites via
sexual contact with a N. gonorrhoeae infected partner.
2. Gonococci *invade columnar epithelial cells* by inducing the cells to ingest them. Once inside the
cells, they multiply in phagosomes.
3. The gonococci lyse the epithelial cells and spread to
the underlying connective tissue where they multiply and cause *inflammation and pus formation.*
A. Gonococcus strains *resistant to killing* by phagocytes and complement can *enter blood & cause disseminated
gonococcal infection (DGI)*, especially in joints. |
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Term
| Most common form of gonorrhea in Men |
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Definition
Urethral gonorrhea is
characterized by
inflammation, painful urination and pus-filled discharges that contain
numerous PMNs with
ingested gonococci, |
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Term
| Most common form of gonorrhea in women |
|
Definition
Cervical gonorrhea is the most common
. It is *often asymptomatic or mild and can go undetected
for years* because the vagina is not affected.
B. However, N. gonorrhoeae can *ascend into the uterus
and cause salpingitis or pelvic inflammatory disease* (inflammation of the uterus, Fallopian tubes & ovaries)
with serious consequences
Infected mothers can infect the eyes of their baby during childbirth, causing *neonatal gonorrheal ophthalmia* which can cause blindness. |
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Term
| Pelvic inflammatory disease |
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Definition
painful inflammation of the uterus, Fallopian tubes & ovaries caused most
commonly by N. gonorrhoeae and
Chlamydia trachomatis.
1 in 10 women get it
complications include uterine tube scarring,
uterine tube blockage, ectopic
pregnancy and sterility |
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Term
| Transmission of Gonorrhea |
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Definition
*primarily by direct sexual contact* with an infected partner or from an *infected mother to a newborn during childbirth*
N. gonorrhoeae is highly infectious. One
unprotected sexual exposure has a:
A. 20-35% chance of infection in men; and,
B. 60-90% chance of infection in women. |
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Term
|
Definition
two life-threatening infections, *meningitis and disseminated meningococcemia*
Only encapsulated strains cause disease.
*transmitted to new hosts by respiratory droplets*
N. meningitidis is the most common cause of meningitis in hosts under 20 years of age in the U.S.
Meningitis is an inflammation (infection) of the
meninges, the membranes that cover the central
nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).
Disseminated meningococcemia is a *blood infection (septicemia) with N. meningitidis.*
risk of contracting meningococcal disease is
especially high in children under 1 year of age, and in militray recruits and college students |
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Term
|
Definition
N. Meningitidis Meningococcemia
sheds large amounts of LOS
in blood as it grows. LOS causes:
Fever, vasodilation, inflammation, shock and DIC (disseminated
intravascular coagulation).
DIC causes * small purple hemorrhagic lesions*form in skin which coalesce to larger lesions |
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