Neisseriaceae

Question 1

What taxonomy is Neisseriaceae

Answer 1

• Phylogeny

Question 2

What is the general characteristics of Neisseriaceae

Answer 2

• Gram negative aerobic rods or cocci
• Associated with mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals
• twitching motility via type IV pili
• oxidase positive

Question 3

Explain what is Neisseriaceae meningitidis

Answer 3

• Asymptomatic commensal of the human upper respiratory tract (URT)
• Accidental human pathogen, causing meningitis and septicaemia
• very high morbidity and mortality
• sporadic or epidemic outbreaks

Question 4

Explain what is Neisseriaceae gonorrhoeae

Answer 4

• usually sexually transmitted
• primarily infects the urogenital epithelia
• persistent, asymptomatic disease
• ## rare cases of disseminated infection

Question 5

What is the ecological niche for Neisseriaceae Meningitidis

Answer 5

• Nasopharynx

Question 6

How does Neiseriaceae meningitidis spread

Answer 6

• Spreads via saliva - direct contact / droplet spread

Question 7

Explain the pathogenesis of Neisseriaceae meningitidis

Answer 7

• invasive phenotypes express the factors needed to invade the bloodstream

Question 8

What are the pathogenicity factors of Neisseriaceae meningitidis

Answer 8

• Lipooligosaccharide (LOS)
• Type IV pili
• Surface proteins NadA and Opa
• Invasins
• Iron-acquisition

Question 9

What are the signs and symptoms for Meningococcal meningitis

Answer 9

• vomiting
• excruciating intense headache
• other symptoms include: confusion, drowsiness, fever, sensitivity to light and a skin rash
• eventually, neck stiffens
• ## convulsions

Question 10

What happens when meningococcal meningitis is left untreated

Answer 10

• fluid build-up in the ventricles of the brain, which can result in a loss of consciousness or even death
• need to be treated very quickly as meningococcal disease can kill within 4 hours

Question 11

What treaments / preventions are there for meningococcal meningitis

Answer 11

• Vaccines

Question 12

What is the difference between N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoea

Answer 12

• N. gonorrhoea is non capsulated unlike N. meningitidis

Question 13

What is on the outer membrane of Neisseria Gonorrhoea

Answer 13

• Lipooligosaccharide (LOS)
• Surfacce protein OPA

Question 14

How do you get Neisseria gonorrhoea

Answer 14

• via unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex

Question 15

Signs of gonorrhoea

Answer 15

• discharge from the genitals
• burning when peeing
• transmitted from mother to baby during birth
• may rapidly perforate the cornea
• urgent referral for intensive IV and topical treatment

Question 16

What is Gonorrhoeas relationship with antibiotics

Answer 16

• increased azithromycin resistance in the uk, leading to the possibility that gonorrhoea may become untreatable

Question 17

What treatments are there for Meningococcal disease

Answer 17

• ## antibiotics - benzyl penicillin or amoxicillin