CN12 - Gonorrhea

What organism causes gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

What is another name for Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is also called gonococcus.

What Gram stain morphology does Neisseria gonorrhoeae have?

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a Gram-negative diplococcus.

What type of disease is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease.

How common is gonorrhea among bacterial sexually transmitted infections in the United States?

Gonorrhea is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States.

What is the incubation period of gonorrhea?

The incubation period of gonorrhea is 2 to 5 days.

How many gonorrhea cases are estimated to occur each year in the United States?

About 1,568,000 gonorrhea cases are estimated to occur each year in the United States.

Can gonorrhea be asymptomatic?

Yes. Gonorrhea is often asymptomatic, especially in women, but it can still lead to long-term consequences.

What are common symptoms of sexually transmitted infections?

Common symptoms of sexually transmitted infections can include urethral discharge, vaginal discharge, dysuria, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, and purulent discharge.

What complications can untreated sexually transmitted infections cause in females?

Untreated sexually transmitted infections in females can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, fallopian tube scarring, sterility, ectopic pregnancy, and internal hemorrhaging.

What complications can untreated sexually transmitted infections cause in males?

Untreated sexually transmitted infections in males can cause urethral scarring, urinary tract infections, spread to the prostate and testes, and sterility from scar tissue.

What tissues are primarily affected by gonorrhea in males?

In males, gonorrhea primarily affects the urethra and can spread to the prostate and testes.

What symptoms does gonorrhea commonly cause in males?

In males, gonorrhea commonly causes painful urination, purulent penile discharge, and dysuria.

What percentage of males with gonorrhea have acute symptoms?

About 95% of males with gonorrhea have acute symptoms.

What is found in purulent discharge from male gonorrhea infections?

Purulent discharge from male gonorrhea infections is full of intracellular and extracellular bacteria and white blood cells.

Can male gonorrhea symptoms clear without eliminating infection?

Yes. Symptoms may clear after a few weeks, but the infection can persist asymptomatically.

How can gonorrhea lead to sterility in males?

Gonorrhea can lead to sterility in males when scar tissue forms after infection.

What tissues are affected by gonorrhea in females?

In females, gonorrhea can spread to the cervix and fallopian tubes.

What symptoms can gonorrhea cause in females?

In females, gonorrhea can cause vaginal discharge, dysuria, and abdominal pain.

Why are gonorrhea symptoms in females often overlooked?

Gonorrhea symptoms in females may be milder, such as milder burning, and about 50% of female infections are asymptomatic.

What percentage of women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic?

Approximately 50% of women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic.

What percentage of untreated gonorrhea cases in females develop pelvic inflammatory disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease occurs in 15% to 30% of untreated gonorrhea cases in females.

How can gonorrhea lead to sterility in females?

Gonorrhea can lead to sterility in females when scar tissue in the fallopian tubes obstructs the passage of eggs.

How can gonorrhea cause ectopic pregnancy?

Gonorrhea can cause ectopic pregnancy when scar tissue in the fallopian tubes obstructs normal egg passage.

What serious complication can occur with ectopic pregnancy from gonorrhea-related scarring?

Ectopic pregnancy from gonorrhea-related scarring can cause internal hemorrhaging.

How can gonorrhea spread beyond the female reproductive tract?

Gonorrhea can exit the fallopian tubes and enter the abdomen, where it can attack the surface of abdominal organs such as the liver.

How often does dissemination occur in women with gonorrhea?

Dissemination occurs in 1% to 3% of women with gonorrhea.

Why is it important for a male partner to disclose a gonorrhea infection?

It is important because the female partner may need to be tested, especially since many female infections are asymptomatic or overlooked.

What tissues can Neisseria gonorrhoeae attach to?

Neisseria gonorrhoeae uses pili to attach to non-ciliated epithelium.

Which body sites can Neisseria gonorrhoeae infect?

Neisseria gonorrhoeae can infect the urethra, uterine cervix, pharynx, and conjunctiva.

What virulence factor helps Neisseria gonorrhoeae attach to host tissue?

Pili help Neisseria gonorrhoeae attach to non-ciliated epithelium.

How does Neisseria gonorrhoeae evade host immunity through its pili?

Neisseria gonorrhoeae evades host immunity through phase variation of pili.

Why can a person get gonorrhea many times?

A person can get gonorrhea many times because infection does not provide lasting immunity.

What immune evasion factors does Neisseria gonorrhoeae have?

Neisseria gonorrhoeae evades the immune system by phase variation of pili, a capsule-like covering, and production of IgA protease.

What enzyme helps Neisseria gonorrhoeae evade mucosal immunity?

IgA protease helps Neisseria gonorrhoeae evade mucosal immunity.

Does Neisseria gonorrhoeae have LPS?

No. Neisseria gonorrhoeae does not have LPS; it has lipooligosaccharide, or LOS.

Why is LOS important in gonorrhea?

LOS is important for gonococcal virulence and inflammation that leads to symptoms.

Is there lasting immunity after gonorrhea infection?

No. There is no lasting immunity after gonorrhea infection.

Is there a vaccine for gonorrhea?

No. There is no vaccine for gonorrhea.

How long can gonorrhea carriers transmit the infection?

Gonorrhea carriers can transmit the infection for months to years.

How is gonorrhea treated?

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics, especially a single intramuscular dose of ceftriaxone.

Which antibiotic is given as a single intramuscular dose for gonorrhea treatment?

Ceftriaxone is given as a single intramuscular dose for gonorrhea treatment.

What antibiotics are effective against most gonorrhea strains?

Antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins are effective against more than 95% of strains.

What is a major concern with gonorrhea treatment worldwide?

Antibiotic resistance is increasing in parts of the world where access to antibiotics is not restricted.

When is rescreening recommended after gonorrhea treatment?

Rescreening is recommended 1 to 2 months after gonorrhea treatment.

What other sexually transmitted infection is usually treated at the same time as gonorrhea?

Syphilis is usually treated at the same time as gonorrhea.

What eye infection can gonorrhea cause in newborns?

Gonorrhea can cause ophthalmia neonatorum, which is neonatal conjunctivitis.

How do newborns acquire gonococcal eye infections?

Newborns can acquire gonococcal eye infections during passage through the birth canal.

Why is gonococcal eye infection in newborns serious?

Gonococcal eye infection in newborns is serious because it can lead to blindness.

When does gonococcal eye infection usually become apparent in newborns?

Gonococcal eye infection is apparent within 5 days and usually within 1 to 2 days.

How is gonococcal eye infection prevented in newborns?

Gonococcal eye infection is prevented by applying 1% silver nitrate or 0.5% erythromycin eye cream within 1 hour of birth.

What eye infection can gonorrhea cause in adults?

In adults, gonorrhea can cause bacterial conjunctivitis through sexual contact.

What is oral gonorrhea?

Oral gonorrhea is gonococcal pharyngitis, an infection of the pharynx caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

How is oral gonorrhea transmitted?

Oral gonorrhea is transmitted by oral sexual contact and can also result from gonococcal septicemia or kissing.

Who has the majority of gonococcal pharyngitis cases?

The majority of gonococcal pharyngitis cases occur in women or men who have sex with men.

Are most cases of gonococcal pharyngitis symptomatic?

No. The majority of gonococcal pharyngitis cases are asymptomatic.

Why is gonococcal pharyngitis clinically concerning?

Gonococcal pharyngitis is concerning because it is more difficult to eradicate with antibiotics and pharyngeal infections may play an important role in antibiotic resistance.

What symptoms can oral gonorrhea cause if symptomatic?

If symptomatic, oral gonorrhea is usually mild and can cause soreness or burning in the throat, oropharyngeal erythema, swollen glands, and occasionally white spots in the mouth.

Where is gonococcal pharyngitis rarely seen?

Gonococcal pharyngitis is rarely seen in the anterior portion of the oral cavity.

What is the risk of gonococcal pharyngitis to dental healthcare personnel?

Gonococcal pharyngitis poses little risk to dental healthcare personnel.