Bacterial Diseases Pt. 2 (Gram - Cocci)

N gonorrhoeae

N gonorrhoeae

________- almost always an STD (sexually transmitted disease) except for neonatal cases where the newborn infant is infected as it passes through the birth canal.

Chemotherapy

________- penicillin or, for those allergic to penicillin, chloramphenicol.

Carriers

________ harbor the organism in their nasopharynx and pass it to others by droplets.

vaccine

A(n) ________ made from capsular polysaccharides is available that is effective against most strains.

Gonococcal infections of the eyes

________ can lead to blindness.

Neisseria

two members of this genus are of medical importance

Characteristics

gram-negative diplococci; pathogenic strains are usually encapsulated and are very fastidious, requiring enriched media and growth in an atmosphere rich in CO2

Fimbriae and capsules

aid in attachment to mucous membranes and resistance to phagocytosis

LPS (endotoxin)

released from cell envelopes following cell lysis; causes fever, hemorrhage, inflammation, abortion, and toxic shock

Protease

destroys secretory antibody (Ig A) on the surface of mucous membrane

Penicillinase

destroys penicillin

N. gonorrhoeae

almost always an STD (sexually transmitted disease) except for neonatal cases where the newborn infant is infected as it passes through the birth canal

Immunization

none available at present and infections does not produce lasting immunity, leading to recurrent infections

Chemotherapy

penicillin has been the drug of choice but penicillinase-producing strains have become more prevalent

N. meningitidis

cause epidemic meningococcal meningitis

Immunization

most people are naturally immune, probably due to exposure when young

Chemotherapy

penicillin or, for those allergic to penicillin, chloramphenicol

Gram negative cocci tend to be members of ___.

Neisseria

What two members of the Neisseria genus are of medical importance?

N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis

What are characterisitics of Neisseria?

gram negative diplococci; pathogenic strains are usually encapsulated and are very fastidious, requiring enriched media and growth in an atomosphere rich in CO2.

What are virulence factors of Neisseria?

fimbriae and capsules, LPS (endotoxin), protease, and pencillinase

What is the function of fimbriae and capsules?

aid in attachment to mucous membranes and resistance to phagocytosis

What is the function of LPS (endotoxin)?

released from cell envelopes following cell lysis; causes fever, hermorrhage, inflammation, abortion, and toxic shock

What is the function of protease?

destroys secretory antibody (IgA) on the surface of mucous membrane

What is the function of pencillinase?

destroys penicillin

N. gonorrhoeae is almost always as STD (sexually transmitted disease) except fot ___.

neonatal cases where the newborn infant is infected as it passes through the birth canal.

Organisms of N. gonorrhoeae attach to ___ of the urethra, vagina, eyes, throat, etc. and then invade the underlaying ___.

mucous membranes; connective tissue

In other cases, N. gonorrhoeae can enter the ___ and be spread to the joints, endocardium or meninges.

blood

When N. gonorrhoeae spread to the joints, it may lead to ___.

form of athritis

Gonoccal infections of the eyes can lead to ___.

blindness

All newborn infants are given eyedrops containing ___ or ___ as a preventative measure to prevent ___.

silver nitrate or antibiotics; opthalmia neonatorum

Are immunizations availble for N. gonorrhoeae?

no

Infections from N. gonorrhoeae does not produce ___ leading to recurrent infections.

immunity

What has been the chemotherapy drug of choice for N. gonorrhoeae?

penicillin

What has been becoming more prevalent in N. gonorrhoeae when using pencillin?

penicillinase-producing strains

What may require a combination of antibiotics when treating N. gonorrhoeae?

when individual has a chance of multiple STDs (syphilis and chlamydiosis)

What bacteria can cause epidemic meningococcal meningitis?

N. meningitidis

Carriers of N. meningitidis harbor the organisms in their ___ and pass it to other by droplets.

nasopharynx

After an initial bout of pharyngitis, N. meningitidis can enter the blood and migrate to ___ causing a potentially lethal condition.

meninges

True or False: Most people are naturally immune to N. meningitidis due to exposure when younger.

true

A vaccine for N. meningitidis is made from ___ is available that is effective against most strains.

capsular polysaccharides

When is the vaccine for N. meningitidis most likely used?

during epidemics on individuals who may have been exposed to the disease.

What chemotherapy drugs are used for N. meningitidis?

peniciliin (or chloramphenicol for those allergic to pencillin)

What drugs are given to prophylactically (prevent) N. meningitidis for those who have come in close contact with someone with the disease?

rifampin or tetracycline