Neisseria gonorrhoeae

General: The clinical infection has been recognized for centuries but remains one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S.

Clinical: Recognized for centuries and has a simple, effective antibiotic regimen. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most common STD's in the U.S. and is readily transmissible. Attach to mucosal cells, penetrate, multiply, then pass through the cells into the subepithelial space. Up to ~50% of women are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms, which generally disappear within a few weeks. Rectal and pharyngeal infections more commonly asymptomatic than genital.

• Normal:
• Abnormal: Primarily urethra in males (purulent discharge), also epididymitis, prostatitis, and periurethral abscess. Primarily cervix in women (vaginal discharge), also ascending with sapilngitis, tuboovarian abscesses, and pelvic inflammatory disease. May develop sepsis, skin, joint infections (relatively common cause of purulent arthritis in adults), perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome), purulent conjunctivitis, anorectal gonorrhea, and pharyngitis.

Resistance: Some strains produce beta-lactamases (penicillin resistance).

Morphology: Gram- diplococcus with a capsule-like negative charge (not a true carbohydrate capsule), often with adjacent sides flattened together (resembling coffee beans). Not motile and do not form endospores.

Growth characteristics: Oxidase+, aerobic, oxidizes glucose. Fastidious, requiring complex media for growth; adversely affected by dry conditions or fatty acids. All strains require cystine; many strains require additional amino acids, purines, pyrimidines, and vitamins. Prefers humid atmosphere supplemented with CO2.

Common/important pathogens: