Gram Negative Cocci

Gram-negative cocci

Bacteria characterized by their thin peptidoglycan layer and outer membrane; they do not retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining procedure.

Endotoxin

A component of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, specifically lipid A, which can trigger inflammation and immune responses.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

A gram-negative bacterium that causes gonorrhea, presenting as cervicitis in females and urethritis in males.

Gonorrhea

A sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae that can lead to infertility and other complications.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Complication of female gonorrhea where the infection spreads to the uterus and fallopian tubes, potentially causing infertility.

Neisseria meningitidis

A gram-negative bacterium that can cause bacterial meningitis, often found in respiratory droplets in crowded settings, such as college dorms.

Lipid A

A part of lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria that triggers immune responses and inflammation.

Gram staining

A method used to classify bacteria based on their cell wall composition; gram-negative bacteria stain red due to the process.

IgA protease

An enzyme produced by some bacteria, including Neisseria species, that cleaves IgA antibodies, helping bacteria evade the immune response.

Ophthalmia neonatorum

A severe eye infection in newborns caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae; can lead to blindness if untreated.

Meningococcemia

A severe bloodstream infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, which can lead to septicemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

A condition characterized by adrenal gland failure due to meningococcal sepsis, leading to a lack of cortisol production.

Morphology

The study of the form and structure of organisms; in the context of bacteria, it refers to their shape, such as cocci or rods.

Pili (fimbriae)

Hair-like structures on the surface of bacteria that help them adhere to surfaces, important for colonization and infection.

Ceftriaxone

An antibiotic commonly used to treat gonorrhea by targeting Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Culture

The process of growing bacterial cells in a controlled environment to identify and analyze them for diagnostic purposes.