Neisseria Meningitidis and Gonorrhoeae Flashcards
What is the primary determinant of Neisseria pathogenicity?
Virulence factors
What are the virulence factors of Neisseria?
- LOS
- IgA protease
- Meningococcus capsule
- Gonococcusc pili
- Porins
- Opa
Describe the cellular characteristics of Neisseria meningitids
Encapsulated, oxidase (+), catalase (+), gram (-) diplococci that are restricted to humans and ferment glucose and maltose (NOT sucorse or lactose)
What media must be used to culture N. menigitidis?
Chocoalte agar or Thayer-Martin agar
What is the major defense mechanism to meningococcus and gonococcus? What predisposes a person to these infections?
Complement mediated PMNs.
Complement deficiency predisposes to complications
What does untreated gonococcus lead to in women?
PID
What are other serious complications following disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) and meningococcemia?
Septic arthritis, meningitis, endocarditis
What is the typical prevalence of gonococcus vs. meningococcus?
Gonococcus is endemic while meningococcus occurs in breakouts
What is the typical treatment for neonate meningococcus prophylaxis?
Eye ointment upon birthing to prevent ocular infection
Preventive measures for gonococcus and meningococcus?
Gono - condoms
Meningo - vaccine
Tx for gonococcus/meningococcus?
Ceftriaxone, cefiximine
How are meningococcus and gonococcus transmitted?
- Meningococcus - aerosols
- Gonococcus - direct contact (sexually or at birth
What predisposes a person to infection with meningococcus?
Complement C6-C9 deficiency
What regions of the body are typically affected by meningococcus?
Joints and meninges
What is a serious sequela of Meningococcemia?
Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome
What is the primary virulence factor of meningococcus?
Polysaccharide capsule that resists phagocytosis
Describe the testing procedure for meningococcal septic arthritis, meningitis, and meningococcemia
Draw up fluid (CSF, synovial fluid, blood), cluture on chocolate agar, NOT blood agar
What is the primary Tx strategy for meningococcus infection? What is a BIG no-no?
Penicillin G; NO STEROIDS
Prevention against meningococcus?
VACCINE (and prophylactic ABs)
What are major differences between meningococcus and gonococcus?
- Gonococcus extremely sensitive to dehydration/cold
- NOT encapsulated
What virulence factor contributes to Disseminated Gonococcal Infection?
Porin A and B
What are the typical presentations of males and females infected with gonococcus?
Males are typically symptomatic while females are typically asympotmatic
What is the difference betwixt the virulence factors of meningococcus and gonococcus?
Meningococcus and Gono - Both IgA protease
Gono - Pili, Opa (for cell adherence), Porin A and B (serum resistance)
What is Fitz-Hugh Curtis Syndrome?
Bacteria (gonorrea or chlamydia) that jump from fallopian to to liver
