Gram negative diplococci

Question 1

How are the Neisseria species differentiated in the lab?

Answer 1

meningococci ferment maltose and glucose; gonococci ferment only glucose.

Question 2

Identify the relevant risk fator associated with Neisseria meningitidis.

Answer 2

increased transmission in military barracks, boarding schools, etc.

Question 3

How does Neisseria gonorrhoea gram stain?

Answer 3

negative

Question 4

What lab findings are useful to help diagnose Neisseria gonorrhoea? (4)

Answer 4

gram negative diplococci can be found inside or outside of PMNs; incubation on chocolate agar; oxidase positive is considered diagnostic; DNA probe or ELISA are preferred methods; will ferment glucose but not maltose.

Question 5

What is morphology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

Answer 5

diplococci- kidney or coffee bean appearance

Question 6

What is the morphology of Neisseria meningitidis?

Answer 6

diplococci

Question 7

Is neonatal conjunctivitis associated with meningococci, gononcocci or both?

Answer 7

gonococci

Question 8

Is pelvic inflammatory disease associated with meningococci, gonococci, or both?

Answer 8

gonococci

Question 9

Identify relevant epidemiology and risk factors associated with Neisseria gonorrhoea. (2)

Answer 9

a major STD worldwide. Oral contraceptives may increase risk of infection by altering normal vaginal environment.

Question 10

How is Neisseria meningitidis transmitted?

Answer 10

respiratory droplets in enclosed area

Question 11

What are the clinical manifestations of Neisseria gonorrhoea in men, women and infants? (4+2+2)

Answer 11

men: yellow-green mucoprurulent discharge, red swollen urethral meatus, dysuria, increased urinary frequency.
women: often asymptomatic but can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. If disseminated migratory polyarthralgia, maculopapular rash.
vaginal birth infants: opthalmia neonatorium, leading to scaring of the cornea and blindness

Question 12

What are the clinical features of gonorrhea? (6)

Answer 12

urethritis, cervicitis, PID, prostatitis, epididymitis, arthritis

Question 13

What lab findings are useful to help diagnose Neisseria meningitidis? (6)

Answer 13

kidney or coffee-bean shaped; gram positive; oxidase positive; will ferment glucose and maltose (compare N. gonorrhoeae); can be identified by latex agglutination or LCR.

Question 14

In septic arthritis associated with meningococci, gonococci, or both?

Answer 14

gonococci

Question 15

How is Neisseria gonorrhoea transmitted?

Answer 15

sexual contact

Question 16

Identify the major virulence/toxicity factors associated with Neisseria gonorrhoea. (3)

Answer 16

has pili, which help it to attach to mucosal surfaces and to resist phagocytosis. Also has IgA protease and lipooligosaccharide.

Question 17

Identify the major virulence/toxicity factors associated with Neisseria meningitidis. (3)

Answer 17

polysaccharide capsule (helps resist phagocytosis by PMNs). LPS (responsible for septic schock). IgA protease.

Question 18

What are the clinical manifestations of Neisseria meningitidis? (2)

Answer 18

septic meningitis-acute onset, fever, persistent headache, stiff neck. Waterhouse Freiderlchsen syndrome-high fever, widespread purpurea from DIC and shock causing destruction of adrenal glands.

Question 19

Is a polysacharide capsule associated with meningococci, gonococci, or both?

Answer 19

meningococci

Question 20

Is meningitis with septicemia associated with meningococci, gonococci, or both?

Answer 20

meningococci

Question 21

What is the “common cause of” associated with Neisseria meningitidis?

Answer 21

common cause of epidemic meningitis, along with Strep pneumoniae

Question 22

How does Neisseria meningitidis gram stain?

Answer 22

negative

Question 23

Is maltose fermentation associated with meningococci, gonococci, or both?

Answer 23

meningococci

Question 24

Is gonorrhea associated with meningococci, gonococci, or both?

Answer 24

gonococci

Question 25

Is a vaccine available for meningococci, gonococci, or both?

Answer 25

meningococci