Neisseria, Haemophilus and Bordetella Flashcards
What Gram are Neisseria?
Gram Negative
What part of N. meningitidis results in septic shock?
The lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) of Neisseria meningitidis is a potent stimulator of inflammation resulting in the septic shock syndrome.
What are the 4 general characteristics of Neisseria?
- Gram-negative “kidney bean” diplococci
- Endotoxic lipopolysaccharide complexed with protein in outer membrane
- Growth enhanced in CO2
- Fastidious species require enriched media (chocolate agar)
Are Neisseria oxidase positive or negative?
OXIDASE POSITIVE
What is the only sugar N. gonorrhea oxidizes?
Glucose
What sugars does N. meningitidis oxidize?
Glucose and Maltose
What immune component is required to fight Neisseria?
Complement
What 2 structures confer virulence to Neisseria menigitidis?
Pili - attachment
Capsule - bloodstream invasion and survival and possibly CNS penetration
What is the pathogenesis of Neisseria meningitidis?
- Attachment - microvilli of nonciliated nasopharyngeal cells via pili
- Traverse cell in vesicle to submucosa
- Damage ciliated cells
- Bloodstream survival enhanced by antiphagocytic
polysaccharide capsule - Endotoxin mediated activation of complement leading to shock and hemorrhage
- CNS inflammation generated by cell wall peptidoglycan, LPS, other bacterial products and is mediated by IL-1 and TNF
What are the clinical manifestations of N. meningitidis infection?
- Respiratory colonization followed by overt disease or transient carrier state
- Meningitis
- Skin: petechiae → purpura
- Meningococcemia: shock, hemorrhage and purpura,
destruction of adrenals
What are the identifying features of N. meningitidis in the lab?
- Gram smear- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- Cultures- CSF, blood, skin
- Cultures – Oxidase positive, oxidize glucose and maltose
- Nonselective media (blood or chocolate agar)
What is the main treatment for N meningitides?
Penicillin - resistance uncommon
What serotype is not used in N. meningitides vaccines?
Serogroup B cannot be used in the vaccine as it is non-immunogenic
What is PorB of N. gonorrhea?
PorB - Outer membrane protein I (Por proteins) – Porin
a. Pores (channels) in organism
b. Facilitates epithelial cell invasion
What is Opa of N. gonorrhea?
Opa - adherence proteins confer opaque appearance to colony which results from Opa-mediated adherence between cells
Opaque associated with localized
Transparent disseminated
What 2 things contribute to the antigenic diversity of N. gonorrhea?
Pili - Antigenic variation
Opa – Phase variation
How does pili antigen variation occur in N. gonorrhea?
Genetic recombination by transfer of variable sequences form unexpressed (silent) loci, pilS to expression locus, pilE
How does Opa phase variation occur in N gonorrhea?
Can switch on and off as many as 11 different Opa
genes throughout the genome creating variation
What is the transmission of N. gonorrhea?
Mucosal transmission (genital, mouth, anus, eye) by direct contact
What is the pathogenesis of N. gonorrhea?
- Attachment via pili and Opa
Genetic variation of ligands evades immune responses - Invasion and damage
a. Epithelial cell invasion involves PorB and other outer membrane proteins
b. Epithelial cell invasion has been demonstrated in salpingitis, but role in uncomplicated mucosal infection not demonstrated
c. Lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan fragments incite inflammatory response - Spread
a. Prostate, epididymis and paracervical glands by direct
extension
b. Possibly carried by sperm to fallopian tubes
c. Serum resistant strains invade the bloodstream and
disseminate to skin, joints