Gram Negative Cocci and Enteric Gram Negative Rods

Flashcards derived from lecture notes on Gram negative cocci, enteric Gram negative rods, and other related bacteria.

Neisseria spp.

Cocci that resemble paired kidney beans and are known for their lipooligosaccharides as endotoxin.

LOS

Lipooligosaccharide, the endotoxin associated with Neisseria spp., differs from LPS in the number of sugars.

Neisseria meningitidis

A Gram negative coccus with a prominent polysaccharide capsule that enhances virulence by resisting phagocytosis.

Meningitis

An infection and inflammation of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, characterized by fever, headache, and stiff neck.

Meningococcemia

Meningococcal septicemia, a severe life-threatening condition with symptoms including high fever and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

A Gram negative coccus lacking capsules, causing gonorrhea, which is often symptomatic in men and asymptomatic in women.

Enterobacteriaceae

A large family of Gram negative rods found primarily in the colon of humans and animals, with many being part of normal flora.

Escherichia coli

A facultative anaerobic Gram negative rod, responsible for infections in both gastrointestinal and urinary systems.

Salmonella spp.

A genus of bacteria with species causing typhoid fever and enterocolitis, transmitted via contaminated food, particularly poultry.

Shigella spp.

Bacteria that cause bacillary dysentery, transmitted via the fecal-oral route, leading to bloody diarrhea.

Bordetella pertussis

A small encapsulated rod that causes whooping cough, primarily transmitted through airborne droplets.

Legionella pneumophila

A Gram negative rod often found in water sources, responsible for pneumonia and can replicate within amoebas.

H. pylori

A Gram negative rod causing gastritis and peptic ulcers, acquired through human-to-human contact.

Brucella spp.

Non-capsulated small rods associated with brucellosis, primarily contracted through unpasteurized dairy products.

Yersinia pestis

The bacterium responsible for plague, known for its virulence and modes of transmission through fleas.

Treponema pallidum

The spirochete bacterium causing syphilis, transmitted sexually or via placenta, with distinct stages of disease.

Chlamydia trachomatis

An obligate intracellular bacterium that causes cervicitis and urethritis, with unique life stages.