Neisseriaceae Flashcards
A gram positive (+) diplococcus
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Gram negative (-) diplococci
- Neisseria spp.
- Moraxella spp.
Gram negative (-) curved bacilli
- Vibrio spp.
- Plesiomonas spp.
- Aeromonas spp.
- Campylobacter spp.
- Helicobacter spp.
When the organism appears to be gram negative (-), the first test to conduct is __________.
Oxidase Test
All gram negative (-) diplococci and curved bacilli are ______.
oxidase positive (+)
Neisseria spp. belong to the family _________.
Neisseriaceae
What are some generas under the family Neisseriaceae?
MNEMONIC: EKS
* Eikenella spp.
* Kingella spp.
* Simonsiella spp.
How are Neisseria spp. different from other generas of Neisseriaceae?
- Neisseria spp. are OXIDASE and CATALASE (+)
- In terms of morphology nd gram stain reaction, they are GRAM (-) DIPLOCOCCI.
Other generas are (-) for catalase, and are bacilli.
How can we differentiate Neisseria spp. from other generas of the family Neisseriaceae?
By performing a CATALASE TEST
Neisseria spp. are (+), while others are (-)
What is the aerotolerance of Neisseria spp.?
Capnophilic, Aerobic (in terms of metabolism)
Neisseria spp. can grow _______ if alternative electron receptors are available.
anaerobically
Neisseria spp. can grow anaerobically if ____________ are available.
alternative electron receptors (e.g., nitrites)
Are Neisseria spp. motile?
No
Are Neisseria spp. spore-forming?
No
Which Neisseria spp. are gram negative (-) bacilli?
MNEMONIC: EWBa
* N. elongata
* N. weaveri
* N. bacilliformis
What is the specific shape of Neisseria spp.?
Kidney-bean shaped diplococci
Which Neisseria spp. are oxidase (+) but are catalase (-)?
MNEMONIC: EBa
* N. elongata
* N. bacilliformis
Neisseria spp. are normal inhabitants of the _______.
Upper Respiratory Tract (URT)
Which Neisseria spp. are not considered a normal flora?
MNEMONIC: GoAn
* N. gonorrhoeae
* N. animaloris
The presence of these bacteria can be pathogenic.
- N. gonorrhoeae
- N. animaloris
Are Neisseria spp. fastidious?
Yes
What are the requirements for Neisseria spp. in order for them to grow?
CO2 and iron
These bacteria compete for the iron in our body.
N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis
The bacterial cell of Neisseria spp. have a receptor for ______.
Transferrin
It is the transport protein of iron, which cleans the iron in our body.
Transferrin
How does transferrin supply iron to Neisseria spp.?
By attaching to the receptor on the bacterial cell
These species are found to be pathogenic for humans, and are found associated inside polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs).
N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis
How is N. gonorrhoeae transmitted?
By sexual intercouse (STI)
How is N. meningitidis transmitted?
By repiratory droplets
What is the optimum temperature for Neisseria spp.?
32 - 37 C
Enumerate the virulence factors associated with Neisseria spp.
- Receptor for Transferrin
- Capsule
- Pili
- Cell membrane proteins
- Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) or Endotoxin
- Immunoglobulin A protease
- Lip (H8)
- Ferric-binding protein (FBP)
Which Neisseria sp. is encapsulated?
N. meningitidis
The basis of virulence is determined by the presence or absence of ______.
Pili (fimbriae)
5 Colonial Types of N. gonorrhoeae
T1, T2, T3, T4, T5
Which colonial type of N. gonorrhoeae is virulent?
T1 and T2
They are virulent because PILI is PRESENT
Which colonial type of N. gonorrhoeae is avirulent?
T3, T4, and T5
They are avirulent because PILI is ABSENT
Which cell membrane protein is encoded by the gene “por”?
Protein I
Protein I is encoded by the gene ______.
por
Which virulence factor?
It forms a channel for nutrients to pass into and waste products to exit the cell.
Protein I
Two Types of Por Gene
Por A and Por B
Types of Por Gene
Which por gene can be found in N. meningitidis?
Por A and Por B
Types of Por Gene
Which por gene can be found in N. gonorrhoeae?
Por B
Which virulence factor?
It facilitates adherence to phagocytic and epithelial cells.
Protein II (Opa)
Which virulence factor?
It blocks the bacteriocidal effect of host IgG.
Protein III (Reduction Modified Protein)
Which virulence factor?
It resembles the human cell membrane glycosphingolipid.
Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) or Endotoxin of N. gonorrhoeae
Which virulence factor?
It cleaves the IgA on mucosal surfaces.
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Protease
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Protease can also be found in _______.
S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae
Which virulence factor?
A surface exposed protein that is heat-modifiable like Opa.
Lip (H8)
Which virulence factor?
It is expressed when the available iron supply is limited.
Ferric-binding protein (FBP)
Which carbohydrate is the only one that Neisseria gonorrhoeae oxidizes?
Glucose
How can we differentiate Neisseria gonorrhoeae from other species of Neisseria?
By performing Carbohydrate Utilization Test
Wherein GLUCOSE is the only carbohydrate that N. gonorrhoeae oxidi
Which strain of N. gonorrhoeae requires arginine, hypoxanthine, and uracil?
AHU Strains
AHU stands for ____.
Arginine, Hypoxanthine, Uracil
AHU strains are found in _________.
3-5% asymptomatic males with gonorrhea
_____ are responsible for the asymptomatic manifestation of gonorrhea.
AHU Strains
AHU strains are found in ____ of asymptomatic males.
3-5%
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Commonly affected sites in Males
Urethra
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Commonly affected sites in Females
Cervix
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is only found on mucous membranes of the ___________ at the time of infection.
genitalia, anorectal area, oropharynx, and conjunctiva
An acute pyogenic infection of the non-ciliated columnar and transitional epithelium.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is acquired through ________.
sexual contact
Gonorrhea is also known as the ______.
“Flow of Seed”
Gonorrhea is also known as _____ which came from the French word “clapoir” meaning brothel.
“The Clap”
Clapoir in French means _______.
Brothel
Incubation period of Gonorrhea
2-7 days
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Clinical Infections in Males
- Acute urethritis
- Dysuria
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Clinical Infections in Females
- Dysuria
- Cervical discharge
- Lower abdominal pain
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Percentage of Asymptomatic Females
50%
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Percentage of Women Experiencing Concurrent Anorectal Infections
30-60%
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
The most common and known complication in Women
Perihepatitis
Perihepatitis is also known as ________.
Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Other complications in Women
Pelvic inflammatory disease, sterility, ectopic pregnancy
A gonococcal eye infection transmitted vertically from the mother to baby.
Ophtalmia neonatorum
What are the 2 kinds of Vertical Transmission?
- Transplacental
- Connatal
N. gonorrhoeae is sensitive to _________.
- extreme temperatures
- disinfectants
- cotton swabs
Specimens for N. gonorrhoeae
Pus and secretions
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Specimen of choice for Men
Urethra
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Specimen of choice for Women
Endocervix
Which swabs are preferred for collecting N. gonorrhoeae?
Dacron or Rayon swabs
These are not used for they are toxic and inhibitory for N. gonorrhoeae.
Calcium alginate and cotton swabs
A bedside culture media
Direct Plating
These are used whenever direct plating is not possible.
Transport systems such as JEMBEC, Gono-Pak, and Transgrow
JEMBEC stands for _________.
James E. Martin Biological Environmenal Chamber
Which pattern is done when streaking JEMBEC?
Z pattern
This is used when there is no JEMBEC or other transport systems available.
Amies Medium with Charcoal
Amies medium with charcoal is plated within _______ after collection.
6 hours
If there is no discharge, the swab is inserted _____ deep into the anterior urethra.
2 cm
If there is no discharge, the swab is inserted _____ deep into the anal canal.
4-5 cm
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Urogenital specimens appearance under direct microscopic examination
Gram (-) intracellular kidney-shaped diplococci
Gram stain is not recommended for _______.
pharyngeal specimens
Why is gram stain not recommended for pharyngeal specimens?
Because the oral part of our body contains many Neisseria microbiota which can be hard to distinguish.
What does it mean when you see more than 5 polymorphonuclear neutrophils with no bacteria?
Non-gonoccocal urethritis
Caused by: Chlamydia trachomatis or Ureaplasma urealyticum
Non-gonococcal urethritis is caused either by _______.
Chlamydia trachomatis or Ureaplasma urealyticum
Medium of Choice for N. gonorrhoeae
CHOC Agar (CAP)
Other media used for N. gonorrhoeae
Trypticase Soy Agar with 5% sheep blood
TRUE OR FALSE.
N. gonorrhoeae can grow on Sheep Blood Agar or BAP.
False
Selective Media for the Isolation of N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis
- Thayer-Martin
- Modified Thayer-Martin
- Martin Lewis
- New York City
- GC-LECT
Thayer-Martin inhibitory agents
- Vancomycin
- Colistin
- Nystatin
Vancomycin is an inhibitor of _______ organisms.
Gram positive (+)
Colistin is an inhibitor of _______ organisms.
Gram negative (-)
Nystatin is an inhibitor of _______.
Yeasts
Anisomycin is an inhibitor of _______.
Yeasts
Amphotericin B is an inhibitor of _______.
Yeasts
Trimethoprim is an inhibitor of _______.
Swarming proteus spp.
Lincomycin is an inhibitor of ______ organisms.
Gram positive (+)
Modified Thayer-Martin inhibitory agents
- Vancomycin
- Colistin
- Nystatin
- Trimethoprim
Martin-Lewis inhibitory agents
- Vancomycin
- Colistin
- Anisomycin
- Trimethoprim
New York City inhibitory agents
- Vancomycin
- Colistin
- Amphotericin B
- Trimethoprim
GC-LECT inhibitory agents
- Vancomycin
- Lincomycin
- Colistin
- Amphotericin B
- Trimethoprim
Standard incubation environment for Neisseria spp.
35 C in 3-5% CO2 atmosphere
A brand of candle jar, wherein instead of using a candle to generate CO2, CO2 pouch is used.
Gaspak Jar
Colonial apperance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Small, grayish-white, convex, translucent, shiny colonies with either smooth or irregular margins.
