6 Gram Negative Cocci/Coccibacilli (Infectious Bacterial Agents)

Question 1

Neisseria gonorrhea

Answer 1

• Gram negative cocci
• PILI allows for ANTIGENIC VARIATION
• Gonococcal lipopolysaccharides (LOS) have antigenic variation
• Opacity proteins allow binding on different cell types
• Grown on THAYER-MARTIN CHOCOLATE AGAR
• Uses GLUCOSE AS CARBON SOURCE
• Clinical: STD & OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM

Question 2

Neisseria menigitidis

Answer 2

• Gram negative cocci
• Gonococcal LOS: antigenic variation
• Capsule: Antiphagocytic
• Pili
• Serogroups and Serotypes are used for identification (B,C predominant for mortality in US)
• Clinical: Respiratory droplets, children < 1 year at risk, meningitis w/purpuric rash, septicemia
• Uses MALTOSE as differentiating factor