Exam 4: gram - diplococci Flashcards
All members of the genus _____ are oxidase positive and fastidious?
Neisseria
- Possess a cytochrome oxidase system to use oxygen as a final electron acceptor to convert O2 to hydrogen peroxide
- The pathogenic species are considered fastidious, meaning they have complex nutritional requirements
What are the virulence factors of neisseria gonorrhea?
- pili (timbriate)
- gram negative cell wall
- secreted protease that destroys IgG
- membrane proteins
Note: pili prevent phagocytosis by attaching to host cells
What is the pathogenesis of neisseria gonorrhea in males?
bacteria penetrate mucous membrane of urethra causing inflammation (urethritis) and painful urination
What bacterial species are classified as gram negative diplococci?
neisseria gonnorhea
neisseria meningitidis
What is the pathogenesis of neisseria gonorrhea in females?
may experience painful urination or discharge but females are mostly asymptomatic and therefore considered to be reservoirs or gonorrhea
due to lack of symptoms associated with neisseria gonorrhea in females, they often experience disseminated disease where infection of cervix progresses to _____
pelvic inflammatory disease PID
What is PID?
pelvic inflammatory disease - infection of uterus, Fallopian tubes (salpingitis) and/or ovaries
What is ophthalmia neonatorum?
infection of neisseria gonorrhea in infants that can damage cornea leading to blindness
what is the test to diagnose neisseria gonorrhea?
oxidase test
What are the virulence factors of neisseria meningitidis?
- polysaccharide capsule
- endotoxin
- secreted protease that destroys IgA
healthy carriers are common with what gram negative diplococci?
neisseria meningitidis
What are the pathologies associated with neisseria meningitidis?
- meningitis
- meningococcemia
- waterhouse friderichsen syndrome
What tests can be done to diagnosis neisseria meningitidis?
culture of bodily fluids and oxidase test
