Neisseria spp.

Question 1

Neisseria- gram, ox, spore, where do they colonize

Answer 1

• gram neg
• obligate aerobic
• do not make spores/flagella

Colonize/infect mucosal surfaces(repiratory/genital tract)

Question 2

What are the 2 major human pathogens of neusseria spp

Answer 2

1. N. meningitidis (meningococcus)

2. N gonorrhoeae (gonococcus)

Question 3

What does neissera spp. produce on its outer membrane

Answer 3

Produces lipolgosaccharide (LOS) instead of LPS

-Very immunogenic causing inflamation

Question 4

How is LOS different from LPS

Answer 4

lacks O antigen (still has core oligosaccharide +lipid A)

Question 5

On what agar do you culture neissera spp.

Answer 5

Chocolate agar (which is selective for neisseria spp.)

Question 6

What are the virulence factors of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (4)

Answer 6

1. LOS
2. Type IV pilli
3. OPA pros
4. Porins

Question 7

What is the function of type IV pilli on neisseria gonorrheae

Answer 7

Mediate adherence, twitching motility and DNA exchange (conjuction)

-Used like a grappling hook to bind to a surface

Question 8

What are the function of OPA proteins on neisseria gonohoea

Answer 8

• Promotes adherence + entry by binding to CAECAMS on genital epithelial cells, leukocytes and endothelial cells \
• also prevent immune responses

Question 9

How does N. gonorrhoeae evade immune responses (2)

Answer 9

1. varying surface antigens thru recombination using pilus genes
2. phase variation of opa pros every time it is translated

Question 10

How does N. gonorrhoeae pathology work before it enters the cell

Answer 10

1. Type IV pilli pull bacteria to endothelial
2. Opa pros bind to CEACAM facilitate adherence/entry
3. Bac aggregate on surface and deposit LOS (inflamation)

Question 11

How does N. gonorrhoeae enter the cell and what can it do

Answer 11

enter and perform transcytosis across the epithelial barrier and enter tissues where they can modulate cells such as neutrophils, monocytes and T-cells.

Question 12

What is the overall gonorrhea pathogenesis in men (what does it effect + symptoms)

Answer 12

• Primarily effects the mucous membranes of urethra

- Acute urethritis ( inflammation associated with response to LOS)

Question 13

What % of women have asymptomatic gonorrhea

Answer 13

50-80%

Question 14

what will 10-20% of women with gonorrhea develop (+ symtoms)

Answer 14

Pelvic Inflammatory disease

• endometritis (falopian tube obstruction)
• Abdominal/pelvic pain
• Scarring

Question 15

What is disseminated gonococcal infection due to and what does it cause (symptoms)

Answer 15

results from bacteremia (when n gonorrhea gets in blood)

Symptoms- septic arthritis, localized skin infection

Question 16

Neisseria meningitidis- inta/extracellular, capsul, invasive measures

Answer 16

Faculatative intracellular bac

May be encapsulated

Use fimbriae, type IV pili and opa for adherence

Question 17

How is neisseria menigitidis transfered + symptoms

Answer 17

Transmission via saliva + respiratory secretions

symp- usually starts non specific (fever etc) then can develop to meningitis, menigococcemia

Question 18

What is the clinical triad of meningoccocal meningitis

Answer 18

fever, headache, stiff neck

inflammation of meninges that surround the brain

Question 19

What is meningcoccemia due to and what does it cause

Answer 19

Meningococcus can deposit LOS triggering sustemic inflamation

Symptoms- systemic symptoms (fever, weakness etc) + disseminated intravasuclar coagulopathy (thrombosis in small vessels, hemorrhage)