Sexually Transmitted Infections

Question 1

Gonorrhea

Answer 1

• Caused by Neisseria Gonorrhea, a gram-negative, diplococcic and fastidious bacterium.
• Best grown on a chocolate agar.
• It utilizes pili, small protein filament appendages for attachment and movement.
• N. Gonorrhea may cause inflammatory response to the urethra, throat, arms and prostae and testes.
• If untreated, it may cause systemic infeftion and result in cardic (endocarditis) and neurological (meningitis) complications.

Question 2

Syphilis

Answer 2

• Caused by Treponema Pallidum, a gram-negtaive spirchote.
• The spirochete is thin so visualization like gram-staining is difficult. Most often identified by dark-field microscopy.
• Symptomes: Fever, headache, sores, rash. Because symptoms are broad, it makes it hard to identify syphilis.
• If untreated/not treated properly, long-term complications are divied into 4 stages.

Question 3

4 Stages of Syphilis Development

Answer 3

1) Primary: 3-6 weeks
- Presents w/ single or multiple sores at the sight of infection.

2) Secondary:
- Skin rashes may appear/vary in density and localization.
- Fever, headache, lymphnodes, muscle ache, fatigue develop here.

3) Latency:
- All the symptoms from the second stage disappear.
- Individuals can remain asymptomatic for many (<30) years.

4) Late: 10-30 years later
- Complcations ranging from paralysis, blindness, diminished muscle coordination/movement, dementia, and organ failure.

Question 4

Chlamydia

Answer 4

• Caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis, a gram-negative, non-motile rod bacterium.
• Its unlike other STI’s because it needs a host to reproduce (obligate parasite).
• C. Trachomatis must be grown on viable cells and not on agar media alone.
• Most people do not present symptoms. If they do, symptoms may appear as inflammation in the throat, anus, testes, prostate gland.
• If Chlamydia in women is untreated, it can cause infertility because of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
• In men, it can cause urethritis and a burning seasion.
• Treatment: Antibiotics such as azithromycin, erythromycin, and ofloxacin.