Gram-negative cocci Flashcards
What is the endotoxin produced in the N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae outer cell membrane?
Lipo-oligosaccharide
What are the 2 major virulence factors that N. meningitidis has?
- Polysaccharide capsule
- Lipo-oligosaccharide endotoxin produced in outer cell membrane
What are the 3 main diseases caused by N. meningitidis?
- Meningococcaemia
- Meningitis
- Both
Where is N. Meningitidis typically found and what is its mode of transmission?
10% nasopharyngeal carriage, typically transmitted via respiratory droplets
Where do N. meningitidis infections commonly arise?
Schools, institutions, groups of people in close contact
What is the common presentation of invasive meningococcal disease?
Macular rash, progresses to haemorrhagic rash
How is meningococcal disease diagnosed?
Blood cultures
CSF culture is meningitis is suspected
How is meningococcal disease treated?
Ceftriaxone (preferred) or penicillins
How are meningococcal infections prevented?
Polysaccharide, conjugated & protein vaccines
What are the clinical presentations of a N. gonorrhoea infection in male patients?
- Urethritis - urethral discharge, dysuria
- Epididymitis
What are the common clinical presentations of N. gonorrhoea infection in female patients?
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome - perihepatitis
- Many are initially asymptomatic
What are the common clinical presentation of N. gonorrhae infection in all patients?
- Throat infection
- Gonococcal arthritis
- Ophthalmia neonatorum if mother of neonate has gonorrhoea
How is gonorrhoea diagnosed?
- Nucleic acid test on urine sample
- Culture on Modified Thayer-Martin medium (a kind of chocolate agar)
What is the treatment for gonorrhea?
Ceftriaxone IM
What is Moracella catarrhalis infection typically associated with?
Opportunistic chest infections & people with co-morbidities
