NEISSERIA Flashcards
What is the Gram reaction of Neisseria species?
Gram-negative.
What is the shape of Neisseria bacteria?
Diplococci (paired, kidney-shaped).
Are Neisseria species oxidase-positive or oxidase-negative?
Oxidase-positive.
Do Neisseria species ferment glucose?
Yes, but species differ in sugar metabolism
Which two Neisseria species are major human pathogens?
Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
What disease does Neisseria meningitidis cause?
Meningococcal meningitis and meningococcemia.
How is Neisseria meningitidis transmitted?
Through respiratory droplets.
What is a key virulence factor of Neisseria meningitidis?
The polysaccharide capsule.
Which laboratory test is used to confirm Neisseria meningitidis in cerebrospinal fluid?
Gram stain, culture, and PCR.
What is the recommended treatment for Neisseria meningitidis infections?
Intravenous ceftriaxone or penicillin G
What vaccines are available for Neisseria meningitidis?
Meningococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines.
Who should receive the meningococcal vaccine?
Adolescents, military recruits, travelers to endemic areas, and immunocompromised individuals.
What disease does Neisseria gonorrhoeae cause
Gonorrhea.
How is Neisseria gonorrhoeae transmitted?
Through sexual contact and perinatally from mother to child.
What are common symptoms of gonorrhea in men?
Urethritis, painful urination, and purulent discharge.
What are common symptoms of gonorrhea in women?
Cervicitis, vaginal discharge, dysuria, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
What complication can result from untreated gonorrhea in newborns?
Neonatal conjunctivitis (ophthalmia neonatorum).
What is the current recommended treatment for gonorrhea?
Ceftriaxone plus azithromycin or doxycycline.
What culture medium is used for Neisseria gonorrhoeae?
Thayer-Martin agar.
Which test differentiates Neisseria gonorrhoeae from Neisseria meningitidis?
Sugar fermentation test
Which selective media is used for isolating pathogenic Neisseria species?
Thayer-Martin agar.
What is the role of pili in Neisseria infections?
They help in adhesion to host cells and contribute to immune evasion.
How does Neisseria evade the host immune system?
Antigenic variation, phase variation, and complement resistance.
Which enzyme allows Neisseria to degrade host IgA antibodies?
IgA protease.
