3.1 Flashcards
GENERA AND SPECIES TO BE CONSIDERED
➢ Moraxella catarrhalis (Branhamella catarrhalis, Neisseria catarrhalis)
➢ Neisseria gonorrhoeae
➢ Neisseria meningitidis
Other Neisseria spp
➢ N. animaloris (CDC group EF-40)
➢ N. cinerea
➢ N. lactomica
➢ N. polysaccharea
➢ N. subflava (N. subflava, N. flava, N. periflava)
➢ N. sicca
➢ N. mucosa
➢ N. flavescens
Neisseriaceae family
Neisseria,
Kingella,
Eikenella,
Simonsiella and
Alysiella
Moraxellaceae family
Moraxella catarrhalis
Moraxellaceae family characteristics
OXIDASE-POSITIVE, GRAM-NEGATIVE DIPLOCOCCI
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: NEISSERIA
aerobic,
nonmotile,
nonhemolytic,
non-sporeforming,
gram(-) diplococcic
What is the Gram stain characteristic of Neisseria?
Gram-negative.
What is the shape and arrangement of most Neisseria species?
Diplococci with kidney or coffee bean appearance.
What are the rod-shaped exceptions in the Neisseria genus?
Neisseria elongata,
Neisseria weaveri, and
Neisseria bacilliformis.
Are Neisseria species motile or nonmotile?
Nonmotile
Are Neisseria species hemolytic or non-hemolytic?
Non-hemolytic
Are Neisseria species spore-forming?
No, they are non-spore-forming.
What enzyme activity is generally positive in Neisseria species?
Cytochrome oxidase and catalase
Which Neisseria species are catalase-negative exceptions?
Neisseria elongata and Neisseria bacilliformis
What environmental condition supports optimal growth for Neisseria species?
A humid atmosphere; they are capnophilic
What do most Neisseria species ferment?
Carbohydrates
How susceptible are Neisseria species to environmental factors like drying or chilling?
Highly susceptible.
What components may need to be added to counteract growth inhibitors for Neisseria?
Blood, serum, cholesterol, or oleic acid
Which two Neisseria species require iron for growth?
Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis
What is the typical colony color of most Neisseria species?
Non-pigmented
Which Neisseria species have yellow-pigmented colonies?
Neisseria flava, Neisseria flavescens, and Neisseria subflava
What is the appearance of Neisseria colonies on culture media
Translucent, grayish-white, convex, and glistening
Where are Neisseria species naturally found?
Mucous membranes of the respiratory and urogenital tracts.
