M5: STIs

Question 1

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Answer 1

• gram negative
• diplococcic
• causes Gonorrhea
• fastidious bacterium (best grown in chocolate agar
• uses pili for attachment and movement

Question 2

Gonorrhea symptoms

Answer 2

• inflammatory responses in: urethra, throat, prostate, anus, testes
• left untreated, can cause systemic infection, leading to endocarditis & meningitis

Question 3

Treponema pallidum

Answer 3

• gram negative
• spirochete
• causes Syphilis
• best seen via dark-field microscopy

Question 4

Syphilis symptoms

Answer 4

• wide range of symptoms such as fever, rash, sores, headache
• identified definitively via medical test

Question 5

4 stages of untreated syphilis

Answer 5

1. primary
2. secondary
3. latency
4. final stage

Question 6

Primary syphilis

Answer 6

• 3-6 weeks after infection
• symptoms = 1+ sores at site of infection
• untreated, progresses to secondary syphilis

Question 7

Secondary syphilis

Answer 7

• characterized by skin rashes (red/brown spots)
• other potential symptoms: fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, fatigue
• untreated, progresses to Latent syphilis

Question 8

Latency

Answer 8

can be asymptomatic for > 30 years until progress to final stage

Question 9

Final stage

Answer 9

• usually occurs 10-30 yrs post initial syphilis infection

- causes severe complications: paralysis, blindness, diminished muscle mvmt/coordination, dementia, organ failure

Question 10

Chlamydia trachomatis

Answer 10

• gram negative
• non motile
• rod-shaped
• obligate parasite (requires host)
• causes Chlamydia

Question 11

Chlamydia

Answer 11

• most infected people never show symptoms (if they do, similar to gonorrhea)
• untreated, can cause infertility in women due to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• in men often causes urethritis
• • treated via antibiotics such as erythromycin

Question 12

Urethritis

Answer 12

inflammation of urethra causing burning while urinating