NEISSERIA Flashcards
What kind of pathogen is Neisseria?
Bacteria
Is Neisseria gram positive or gram negative?
Gram negative
What would Neisseria look like on a microscope slide?
Pink diplococcus (pairs of spheres)
Is Neisseria aerobic or anaerobic?
Aerobic (O2)
What are some strains of Neisseria?
-Neiserria meningitis
-Neisseria gonorrhea
What is the epidemiology/distribution of N.meningitis?
Sporadic or endemic outbreaks in communities
-Common in part of Africa (Meningitis belt: belt/horizontal line across map of northern Africa where this most commonly occurs)
Who is at greater risk for contracting N. meningitis?
Those without a spleen (asplenia), Complement immunodeficient people (such as Lupus)
How would an N. meningitis infection present?
-Acute bacterial meningitis (inflammation of brain/spinal cord)
-bacteremia, sepsis
How can an N. meningitis infection be treated?
VACCINATION! prevention
-Phrophylactic (preventative) treatment for patients who may be at risk
-Droplet precautions (masks, PPE, etc.)
What does N. gonorrhea cause?
Gonorrhea
*second most common STI
How is N. gonorrhea transmitted?
Sexually
How would an N. gonorrhea infection present in men?
-Pus discharge
-Bleeding
-Painful urination
-Burning
-Urethritis (inflammation of urethra)
-Pharyngitis
-Conjunctivitis
How would an N. gonorrhea infection present in women?
-Vaginal bleeding/discharge
-Pelvic pain
-Painful urination
-Pharyngitis
-Conjunctivitis
-Hepatic inflammation (Fitz-Hugh Curtis Syndrome), generally not seen in men
Can an N. gonorrhea infection spread to other parts of the body?
Although it is uncommon, the infection may spread from the genitourinary tract to joints and blood (bacteremia)
How can we test for an N. gonnorhea infection?
-Dirty urine sample (in men)
-Blood culture
-Rectal swab
-Throat swab
-Cervical swab (in women)
