Neisseria and Moraxella

Question 1

Name the commensal neisseria spp

Answer 1

N. lactamica
N. sicca
N. flava
N. flavescens
N. elongata
N. bacilliformis
N. polysaccharea
N. cinerea
M. osloensis

Question 2

is Neisseria meningitidis a normal commensal?

Answer 2

yes in 10% of the population in the nasopharynx

often seen in respiratory cultures, but as commensal and nonpathogenic

Question 3

How is Neisseria meningitidis spread/acquired?

Answer 3

Spread by respiratory secretions

Acquired when in close contact with many people (football teams, college dorms)

Question 4

What are the symptoms of meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis?

Answer 4

Nuchal rigidity- Stiff neck (severe pain moving the neck)
fever
headache

Question 5

What population does Neisseria meningitidis affect the most?

Answer 5

Young children, teens, and older people

Not common in neonates due to maternal antibodies

Question 6

Which serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis cause disease and are common?

Answer 6

Type A,B,C, W and Y

Question 7

Vaccines available for N. meningitidis

Answer 7

MenACWY: children and adults at increased risk

MenB: young teens over the age of 10 or older

Question 8

What media does Neisseria meningitidis and gonorrheae grow on? (3)

Answer 8

1) Blood-may or may not
2) Choc
3) JEMBEC System w/Thayer Martin Agar Modified with
*nystatin - inhibits Candida albicans
*colistin - inhibits gram negative bacilli
*vancomycin- inhibits GPC
*trimethoprim lactate - inhibits swarming Proteus spp.

Question 9

Can MALDI identify Neisseria pathogens from commensals?

Answer 9

Maybe

Can run additional biochemical tests to differentiate pathogens from commensals BactiCard and sugar fermentation

Question 10

Biochemical differences of N. meningitidis from N. gonorrhoeae?

Answer 10

N. meningitidis DOES NOT ferment MALTOSE

N. gonorrhoeae FERMENTS MALTOSE

Question 11

What does a gram stain of Nesseria meningitidis and gonorrhoeae look like?

Answer 11

Gram negative
diplococci
may sometimes be kidney bean shaped
may or may not be intracellular

Question 12

What diseases does N. gonorrhoeae cause? (5)

Answer 12

1) gonorrhea
(2nd most common STI, 1st is chlamydia)

2) Eye infection

3) Rectum infection

4) Throat infections

5) Joints (gonococcal arthritis)

Question 13

How is N. gonorrhoeae diagnosed and which are acceptable specimens?

Answer 13

Molecular detection

Specimens include: urine, genital (vaginal, penile, rectal), throat and eye swabs

False positives (specially in children are always ran twice)

Question 14

Is isolation of N. gonorrhoeae clinically significant at any body site?

Answer 14

yes, it is not a commensal

Question 15

How is Neisseria gonorrnorreae treated?

Answer 15

ceftriaxone (500 mg intramuscular, single dose) or ertapenem if resistance exists

azithromycin to provide double coverage for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and potential co-infection with Chlamydia

Question 16

What disease is associated with Moraxella catarrhalis?

Answer 16

otitis media

Question 17

What diseases can Moxarella spp cause? (3)

Answer 17

bronchitis and pneumonia in children and adults with underlying chronic lung disease

meningitis in the immunocompromised

Bloodstream infection/bacteremia in immunocompromised

Question 18

What does Moxarella look on a gram stain?

Answer 18

Gram negative diplococci (but may be elongated)

Grows on cap and bap and has hockey effect. Can slide around in plate

Question 19

Diagnosis of Moraxella spp?

Answer 19

MALDI distinguishes them from Neisseria

M. catarrhalis identified by positive butyrate esterase